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Total Eclipse (1995)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:15
Fresh:4
Rotten:11
Average Rating:5/10
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Director Agnieszka Holland (OLIVIER, OLIVIER, WASHINGTON SQUARE) presents this probing period piece that examines the nihilistic relationship between bad-boy French poet Arthur Rimbaud (Leonardo... Director Agnieszka Holland (OLIVIER, OLIVIER, WASHINGTON SQUARE) presents this probing period piece that examines the nihilistic relationship between bad-boy French poet Arthur Rimbaud (Leonardo DiCaprio) and writer Paul Verlaine (David Thewlis). After Rimbaud sends Verlaine a series of poems, Verlaine summons him to Paris. Arriving at the home of his wife Mathilde's (Romane Bohringer) family, Verlaine is shocked to discover that Rimbaud is only 16 years old. Worse, he is a crude, obnoxious rabble-rouser who seems intent on making everyone's life miserable. Nonetheless, Verlaine falls in love with him, sparking a tumultuous relationship between the two that threatens Verlaine's marriage. As the poets travel to Brussels together, Rimbaud taunts Verlaine relentlessly, taking a toll on both, straining their relationship even further. As the troubled writers, DiCaprio and Thewlis deliver extremely powerful, unguarded performances, providing the film great emotional depth (Thewlis earned the Best Actor prize at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival), resulting in a work of biographical fiction that will remind viewers of both men's literary importance. [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, David Thewlis, Romane Bohringer, Dominique Blanc
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, David Thewlis, Romane Bohringer, Dominique Blanc
Director: Agnieszka Holland
Director: Agnieszka Holland
Reviews for Total Eclipse
A misguided project from the gifted Holland: Watching Verlaine and Rimbeau engage in endless arguments about the nature of love, you wonder when did they have time to produce the kind of poetry that revolutionized the world of letters.
Despite its fascinating subject matter, Total Eclipse is both unflattering and loveless.
a noble effort to capture Rimbaud's genius, but it fails to take enough risks to get close to the enigmatic poet.
A disappointing biography about the homosexual relationship of two famous 19th century French poets.
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