Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013)
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A French teenager discovers desire and freedom through a passionate, years-long relationship with an aspiring painter.
The story
Adèle, an introverted 15-year-old high-school student, becomes captivated by a woman with short blue hair she sees in the street. Her internal conflict regarding her sexual identity intensifies after a brief, unsatisfying encounter with a male peer. Her life changes when she meets Emma, an art student, at a lesbian bar. The two begin a passionate and intense relationship that spans several years, evolving from Adèle's adolescence into her early adulthood. As they navigate their growing bond, they must contend with the complexities of their personal lives, their differing social backgrounds, and the challenges of maintaining their connection as they pursue their respective paths.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Adèle, a 15-year-old student, becomes obsessed with a woman with blue hair. After a brief, unfulfilling relationship with a classmate, she meets the woman, Emma, at a lesbian bar. The two begin a passionate, multi-year sexual relationship. As they grow older, Adèle becomes a teacher while Emma pursues a career in painting. Their relationship faces strain due to their differing lifestyles and social backgrounds. Eventually, Emma leaves Adèle for a partner named Lise. Years later, the two meet at a restaurant; while they share a final intimate moment, Emma admits she no longer loves Adèle. The film ends with Adèle attending Emma's art exhibition, where she sees a portrait of herself, and eventually walks away alone.
- Original title
- La Vie d'Adèle
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 180
- Production countries
- France; Belgium; Spain
- Original languages
- French
- Directors
- Abdellatif Kechiche
- Writers
- Abdellatif Kechiche · co-written; Ghalia Lacroix · co-written
- Cast and characters
- Léa Seydoux · Emma; Adèle Exarchopoulos · Adèle
- Genres
- erotic; romantic drama
- Themes
- Lesbian sexuality
- Tone and mood
- intense; passionate
- Premise and plot tags
- coming-of-age; romance
- Source material / true-story basis
- graphic novel
- Content notes
- explicit sexual content
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim, with many critics declaring it one of the best films of 2013. It was noted for its intense performances and high production quality, though it faced some controversy regarding its explicit content and the director's working conditions.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 8.20 · scale: 10 · review count: 204; Metacritic · score: 90 · scale: 100 · review count: 57
- Awards and nominations
- Louis Delluc Prize · best French film · win; César Award · Most Promising Actress · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Non-English Language Film · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was the first to have the Palme d'Or awarded to both the director and the lead actresses.; It was the first film adapted from a graphic novel or a comic to win the Palme d'Or.; The film's production involved approximately 800 hours of footage.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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