Madame Bovary (2014 film)

Madame Bovary is a 2014 historical romantic drama film directed by Sophie Barthes, based on the 1856 novel of the same name by French author Gustave Flaubert. The film stars Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Ezra Miller, Logan Marshall-Green, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Laura Carmichael, Olivier Gourmet, and Paul Giamatti.

Madame Bovary
Us theatrical release poster
Directed bySophie Barthes
Written by
Based onMadame Bovary
1857 novel
by Gustave Flaubert
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAndrij Parekh
Edited byMikkel E.G. Nielsen
Music by
  • Evgueni Galperine
  • Sacha Galperine
Production
companies
  • Occupant Entertainment
  • A Company Filmproduktion
  • Left Field Ventures
  • Scope Pictures
Distributed by
Release dates
  • August 30, 2014 (2014-08-30) (Telluride Film Festival)[1]
  • June 12, 2015 (2015-06-12) (United States)[2]
  • September 2, 2015 (2015-09-02) (Belgium)[3]
  • December 17, 2015 (2015-12-17) (Germany)[3]
Running time
118 minutes
Countries
  • Germany
  • Belgium
  • United States
Languages
  • English
  • French
  • Latin

Plot

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Emma, a young woman who is not yet 18 years old, packs up her belongings and prepares to leave the convent to marry the man her farmer father has arranged as her husband: country doctor Charles Bovary. However, she becomes bored and miserable in the small, provincial town of Yonville. She spends most of her time alone, reading or wandering in the garden while Charles tends to patients. Even when he is home, Emma feels bored or neglected by Charles.

Emma longs for more — excitement, passion, status, and love. She shows restraint at first, when smitten law clerk Leon Dupuis skittishly professes his affections for her. However, she is intrigued by the dashing Marquis, who makes more overt advances. Their affair emboldens her as she believes it gives her a glimpse of the good life. She spends money she does not have on lavish dresses and decorations from the obsequious dry-goods dealer Monsieur Lheureux, who is all too happy to continue extending her credit.

Cast

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Production

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In March 2012, it was reported that Mia Wasikowska had been cast in a film to be directed by Sophie Barthes.[7] Ezra Miller joined the cast in May[8] and Rhys Ifans in October 2012.[9] Laura Carmichael, Olivier Gourmet, and Logan Marshall-Green were linked to the project in September 2013.[10] Filming began on 30 September 2013 in Normandy.[10][11]

Joe Neurauter and Felipe Marino of Occupant Entertainment produced the film in association with director Sophie Barthes' production company Aden Films and Jaime Mateus-Tique from Aleph Motion Pictures.[12]

Warner Bros. secured all German-speaking rights to the film from A Company Filmed Entertainment in April 2014.[12]

On September 9, 2014, one day before its Telluride Film Festival debut, Millennium Entertainment acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the film.[13]

Reception

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Madame Bovary received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 43% score based on 69 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The film's consensus reads: "Over the years, Flaubert's Madame Bovary has proven an exceedingly difficult novel to film - and this version adds another disappointing entry to the list."[14] The film holds a score of 52 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on reviews from 19 critics, indicating 'mixed or average reviews'.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 10, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Madame Bovary - Official Site". www.madamebovarythemovie.com.
  3. ^ a b "Madame Bovary". Cineuropa. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e Jeff Labrecque (October 31, 2013). "'Madame Bovary' first look: Mia Wasikowska stars as Flaubert's tragic heroine". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Miller's thrills over Madame Bovary". Belfast Telegraph. May 16, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Sean O'Connell (September 30, 2013). "Mia Wasikowska's Madame Bovary Begins Principal Photography In France". Cinema Blend. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  7. ^ Sneider, Jeff (March 30, 2012). "Mia Wasikowska set for 'Bovary'". Variety.
  8. ^ Sneider, Jeff (May 10, 2012). "Ezra Miller joins 'Bovary' cast". Variety.
  9. ^ Sneider, Jeff (October 24, 2012). "Rhys Ifans books 'Madame Bovary' role". Variety.
  10. ^ a b McNary, Dave (September 30, 2013). "Laura Carmichael, Olivier Gourmet, Logan Marshall-Green Join 'Madame Bovary'". Variety.
  11. ^ Abramovitch, Seth (September 30, 2013). "'Downton Abbey' Star Joins 'Madame Bovary'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ a b Nancy Tartaglione (April 23, 2014). "Global Showbiz Briefs: Warner Bros Germany Courts 'Madame Bovary'; 'Jamaica Inn' Off To Strong Start On BBC One". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  13. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 9, 2014). "Toronto Update: Re-Branding Millennium Seals Deal For 'Madame Bovary'".
  14. ^ "Madame Bovary (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  15. ^ "Madame Bovary". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
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