A Very Long Engagement

Original title: Un long dimanche de fiançailles

2004
15
2h 13m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

77K

YOUR RATING

Audrey Tautou and Gaspard Ulliel in A Very Long Engagement (2004)

Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video

Play trailer2:10

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99+ Photos

Period Drama Romantic Epic War Epic Drama Mystery Romance War

Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.Tells the story of a young woman's relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared from the trenches of the Somme during World War One.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

77K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 17 wins & 35 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 2:10

A Very Long Engagement

Photos156

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When casting Jodie Foster, Jean-Pierre Jeunet met her in Paris at the café which was used to shoot the scenes in Amélie (2001) which is near where he lives. Some tourists were at the café, knowing it was featured in the film, asked Jeunet and Foster to move out of the way (not recognizing them) so that they could take a photograph of the café.

Goofs
In the film there is an important storyline about an albatross. However, throughout the film in all footage depicting the albatross a gannet is shown. Though a gannet is also a large seabird, it looks nothing like an albatross.

Quotes
Ange Bassignano: [writes] "Revenge is pointless. Try to be happy and don't ruin your life for me."

Connections
Edited from Winged Migration (2001)

Soundtracks
Ça ne Vaut pas l'Amour
Music by François Perpignan
Lyrics by Alexandre Trébitsch
Performed by Esther Lekain

User reviews260

Review

Featured review

Pleasant, visually satisfying.

Dazzling, never before have I seen such a visually pleasing picture. Jeunet has mastered the film medium giving 'A Very Long Engagement' a unique and fairy tale like visual style. Though rushed, the fantasy romance that Jeunet paints through flashbacks is inspiring. The graphic World War I trenches, provide an excellent contrast to the simple but charming mystery that Mathilde embarks on through the film.

Although Jeunet relies heavily on Audrey Tautou's performance, it is ultimately his one of a kind visual style that emotionally ties the viewer. This said, the latter portion of 'Long Engagement' feels very rushed and isn't treated to the same elegance that so well defines the first half. There are moments in the film where the visuals far overshadow the emotional intensity intended for the scene. This is perhaps 'Long Engagements' only fault, as it becomes unbalanced. The stylized and even cartoonish artistic direction that Jeunet leans to, although brilliant seems I'll fit for this wartime drama. Even so, 'A Very Long Engagement' comes off genuine and it's mix of fantasy romance and war will let you leave the theater fulfilled.