Watch Romantic Movies to Improve French Language
Seven Romantic Films to Help Practice and Learn French
Jan 27, 2009
What could be a better way to practice listening to the French language than to watch a romantic French film? The seven movies described below represent French culture at its most romantic.
Foreign language students who want to practice listening to conversational French can watch the films sans the English subtitles. Those who simply want a to get lost in some good romance films can enable the subtitles.
Favorite Audrey Tautou MoviesLe Fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain [2001], known in U.S. as Amélie,stars Audrey Tautou and Mathieu Kassovitz and was nominated for five Academy Awards. This is the story of a sheltered young woman who moves to Paris where she learns that in order to find love, she must first make herself happy. The film is magical, sweet, crazy, and romantic. Written by Guillaume Laurant and Jean-Pierre Jeunet; directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Un long dimanche de fiançialles [2004] translates as “A Very Long Engagement” and also stars Audrey Tautou. In this WWI era love story/mystery. Methilde searches for her fiancé, wounded in the war. The theme of not giving up on lost love, mixed with the horrors, of war will make an indelible impression. Adapted from the novel by Sébastien Japrisot; screenplay by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant; directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Gérard Depardieu as a Romantic Lead
Camille Claudel [1988], starring Isabelle Adjani and Gérard Depardieu, was nominated for two Academy Awards. This love story is based on the biography of Camille Claudel, a 19th century sculptor who had a romantic affair with August Rodin, a famous French artist. Adapted from the book written by Reine-Marie Paris; screenplay written by Bruno Nuytten and Marilyn Goldin; directed by Bruno Nuytten.
Le Retour de Martin Guerre [1982] stars Gérard Depardieu and Nathalie Baye. The forerunner of the American Sommersby, this story takes place in medieval France. Martin Guerre returns to his village and his wife after many years away at war and nobody recognizes him. The mystery revolves around the question of whether or not he is truly who he says he is or an imposter and whether or not his wife believes him. Written by Jean-Claude Carrière, Daniel Vigne, and Natalie Zemon David, and based on the novel, The Wife of Martin Guerre, by Janet Lewis; directed by Daniel Vigne.
Cyrano de Bergerac [1990] stars Gérard Depardieu and Anne Brochet. In this tragicomic adaptation of the popular story, the poet/soldier Cyrano is too embarrassed by his big nose to admit his love for Roxanne. He writes love letters to her, but in the name of the handsome young Christian, who is also in love with her. Much to Cyrano’s despair, Roxanne falls in love with Christian, believing he is the author and personality behind the romantic poetry. Written by Jean-Claude Carrière, Jean-Paul Rappeneau, and based on the play by Edmond Rostand; directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau.
Romantic Juliette Binoche Films
Les Enfants du Siècle [1999] is a passionate 19th century love story starring Juliette Binoche and Benoit Magimel. Based on the true life love affair between the French novelist George Sand and poet Alfred de Musset, this movie, described as “torrid” by some and “tumultuous” by others, is a story of passion, pride, love, and betrayal. Written by Murray Head, Diane Kurys, François-Olivier Rousseau; directed by Diane Kurys.
Le Hussard sur le toit [1995] also stars Juliette Binoche, paired this time with Olivier Martinez. In this 19th century romance, a young Italian horseman and swordsman named Angelo, who is being hunted by Austrian authorities, meets and falls in love with a young French woman named Pauline, who is searching for her lost husband. Written by Jean-Claude Carrière, Jean-Paul Rappeneau, and Nina Companéez, and based on the novel by Jean Giono; directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau.
With these classic French films, French language learning takes on a whole new context. Try these movies in French to improve listening skills and taste the culture of French cinema.
Enjoy foreign cinema? Check out these Italian and Spanish language film reviews.
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