Nov 11, 2004 set during and after the first world war, a very long engagement tells the story of a young womans search for her fiance, whom she believes might still be alive despite having officially been reported as killed in the line of duty. The first edition of the novel was published in september 6th 1991, and was written by sebastien japrisot. Sep 06, 1991 a very long engagement is a book about a girl named mathilde who is trying to find out what happened to her fiance manech. Jeunet has had no such qualms and told one interviewer that. Unlike many smallerscale french films, which typically dont have the budgets of major hollywood spectaculars, avle is a richly textured, wonderfully detailed period piece showing france during and just after world war i. Now a major motion picture from amelies director jeanpierre jeunet and featuring audrey tautou and jodie foster comes a very different love story. Set in france during world war i, it follows mathilde donnay, who doubts the veracity of a report that her fiance, manech, has been killed in combat.
A very long engagement summary this summary of a very long engagement includes a complete plot overview spoilers included. However, the voiceover at the beginning as manech is being led through the trench with the other prisoners in january 1917 informs us that manech is five months shy of 20, putting his birth date in june of 1897 and making him two and a half years older. Audrey tautou stars in this sweeping romantic mystery from the director of amelie, based on a novel of the same name. Except my hair synopsis in 1919 mathilde is still awaiting the return of her. Dissatisfied with the official account of her fiancc jean etcheverys death in ww i, wheelchairbound painter mathilde donnay resolves to find out the truthwith unexpectedly moving results at the end of a twisted trail. Also, most any other page that is linked to this one i. A very long engagement original theatrical trailer. As the main character in a very long engagement, mathilde donnay represented the majority working class french women during wartime. Readers who like mysteries, different eras, unique characters, bossy heroines, or love stories will find a great deal to enjoy in a very long engagement.
Jun 05, 2003 a very long engagement is a magical book, one which weaves a tale and catches you in its spellit will haunt you long after you put it down. A very long engagement king county library system overdrive. A very long engagement is a 1991 romantic war novel by french author and screenwriter sebastien japrisot. A very long engagement is a book about a girl named mathilde who is trying to find out what happened to her fiance manech. A very long engagement by sebastien japrisot overdrive. Unable to walk since childhood, fearless mathilde donnay is undeterred in her quest as she scours the country for information about five wounded french soldiers who were brutally abandoned by their own troops. A very long engagment is jeanpierre jeunets followup to his international success, amelie. Director jeanpierre jeunet and cinematographer bruno delbonnel, afc place this simple tale in a world that is more of a personal vision than a historical reenactment. Like richard burns dance for the moon, a very long engagement is a contemporary novel that takes one small, banal relatively speaking event from all those years ago and turns it into art. Then create a new page for a very long engagement novel and add new info about the book there. A very long engagement is a magical book, one which weaves a tale and catches you in its spellit will haunt you long after you put it down. A very long engagement presents world war i as it was for the soldier at the front.
Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. A very long engagement is that rare piece of cinema that will stand up over time. Set during and after the first world war, a very long engagement tells the story of a young womans search for her fiance, whom she believes might still be alive despite having officially been reported as killed in the line of duty. A very long engagement the free library of philadelphia. A very long engagement is a true epic french film, and worth seeing if you are at all willing to see foreign cinema.
However, despite the return of elfin star audrey tautou, this is nothing like a sequel. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on a very long engagement by sebastien japrisot. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Dec 16, 2004 a very long engagement opens by introducing us to five french soldiers convicted of wounding themselves. A twentysixyearold handsome italian man living in france, ange has joined the war in order to escape a. Based on the novel by sebastien japrisot, a very long engagment.
Except my hair synopsis in 1919 mathilde is still awaiting the return of her fiance, manech who left for the front two years. Its an example of fine filmmaking and audiences will be tremendously entertained. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 327 pages and is available in paperback format. In the beginning of the book mathilde hears news that her fiance was given the death sentence along with four other men for self mutilation as a way to get out of the army in world war i. A very long engagement un long dimanche de fiancailles original title r 2h min drama, mystery, romance 14 january 2005 usa. The novel begins as five condemned french soldiers walk to their doom during world war i. This is a rich and challenging novel that entertains, philosophizes, and evokes strong emotion all at the same time. At least twice in the course of the film we are told that manech is only 1 year older than her. Very long means more than 500 pages in the normal hardcover edition, and best means its really, really worth it. A very long engagement, it so happens, was paid for by warner brothers, leading some critics to question its french credentials. This study guide consists of approximately 35 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of a very long engagement. A very long engagement based on the acclaimed novel by sebastien japrisota runaway bestseller in france and winner of the 1991 prix interallie, sebasti.
A very long engagement lets its characters discover what we already have, yet withholds key points so that their surprise reflects our own. A love that wont surrender to war, death and oblivion the. From the director and star of amelie jeanpierre jeunet and audrey tautou comes a very different love story, a very long engagement, based on the acclaimed novel by sebastien. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. A very long engagement is an antiwar novel that exposes the cruelty and horror of trench warfare, and the official lies and corruption that allowed atrocities to take place. The novel is also a detective story, as mathilde unravels the mystery of what happened to the five men. Jeunet and tatous articles and filmographies will be because of the film. Its only flaw is that it runs a little long, but that is minor when compared to the whole product.
Jul 08, 2014 a very long engagement original theatrical trailer trailer 1 warner bros. The movie is based on a novel by sebastien japrisot, a writer best known for his thrillers costagavrass the sleeping car murder is based on a book of. A very long engagement 2004 a very long engagement 2004. Despite its scale, a very long engagement is ultimately a love story driven by a womans unwavering faith. This will keep the edit histories for the film tied to the page for it. A love that wont surrender to war, death and oblivion. A very long engagement sebastien japrisot macmillan. Nov 26, 2004 a very long engagement, it so happens, was paid for by warner brothers, leading some critics to question its french credentials. In this aspect of the novel too, japrisot uses his skills as a mystery writer. This wondrous film, based on the novel by sebastien.
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