Children of the Century (DVD, 2004, Uncut French Theatrical Release Version)

There are some very moving moments in this account of the love affair between George Sand and Alfred de Musset. There is also some glorious photography of Venice, where much of the action takes place.

Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel succeed in portraying mutual passion but the film fails to give any convincing reason for that passion. Instead, the viewer is asked to assume that this is an inevitable and unbreakable bond between two wildly romantic artists. Thus anything and everything that happens must be seen in the light of the begged question.

Neither character succeeds in conveying the nature of the real-life person. This is a serious flaw in the screenplay. As a result, neither de Musset nor George Sand come to life as individuals. Literature is hinted at but not seriously present; the film is more concerned with de Musset's offensive rudeness than with his work. Against that background, Juliette Binoche succeeds, as so often, by playing herself.

It is a film worth watching, but anyone hoping for a serious contribution to understanding the salons of the late 19th century will be disappointed.