Gabrielle
Gabrielle Image
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Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Patrice Chéreau directs this stunning adaptation of the short story "The Return" by Joseph Conrad. Recreating turn-of-the-century France with superb attention to detail, Chéreau casts an unrelenting gaze on the marital breakdown that overwhelms a middle-aged bourgeois couple, played with chihilling precision by Isabelle Huppert and Pascal Greggory. (IFC First Take)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    100
    If all this potent drama recalls Bergman, the beautifully articulated staging and setting suggest that master of operatic social-sexual drama, Luchino Visconti ("The Leopard").
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    80
    Huppert and Greggory provide the emotional impact. They respond accordingly, imbuing their mutual suffering with an exacting and moving finesse.
  3. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Rick Kisonak
    80
    The film is a wonder and a joy to watch on any number of levels.
  4. Empire
    Reviewed by: David Parkinson
    60
    This looks and sounds superb. Isabelle Huppert and Pascal Gregory are splendid. But the over-archingly smug sophistication of the enterprise robs it of some much-needed human interest.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. Pants_Face
    10
    A must see for fans of the late star of Spartacus: Blood and Sand Andy Whitfield. The dark atmosphere is truly handled very well and works together with great acting to support this awesome story.… Expand
  2. ChristinaC.
    10
    Fantastic film, especially for Huppert fans. She is at her strongest and the film is a devastatingly real depiction of marriage gone wrong. Kept me at the edge of my seat.… Expand
  3. RobertI.
    5
    Despite the whip-smart leads and the panache of hotel particulier on the Parc Monceau, we ultimately don't care about these tortured souls because we do not know them. Stylish and cold as ice.… Expand
  4. MegaW.
    4
    Not bad, but the air was too rich, too many long glances at details to the point of overload; here it becomes rather much. Should have moved faster instead of lingering tortuously slow on some elements- much as I appreciate the truths shown in the film and the wisdom it tries to impart, it felt leaden and dreary, almost an inescapable ruinous fate of the otherwise privledged. Good performances, the lead actress is the best thing to watch in the whole film, beautiful backdrops and costumes, oh, and a bit of brief nudity that for once is completely appropriate with the plot. The music was getting to me after awhile, too loud and too heavy handed, as opposed to a subtle and skillful touch; I think the audience could get the point without the distractingly overdone score. Decent film, but could have skipped it or waited for the dvd. Will put all but the most devoted indie-French film audience close to sleep.… Expand

See all 7 User Reviews

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