Love on the brain

Whenever people ask me what is my favorite movie I never know what to answer. I am a complete fanatic of entangled love stories, pure emotions, and period dramas. If you are anything like me and you can't get enough of Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, and The notebook, I'm happy to tell you that you are in for a ride.

Even though I absolutely worship classic love stories, ever since I watched Call Me by Your Name a few years ago, I developed a newfound passion for love stories with a more contemporary approach - even if they are based on the past.

I remember the first time - of several that came after - that I watched that movie. A friend of mine made me have very high expectations for the drama, and when I finished it, I was not one bit disappointed. The setting, the actors and actresses, the story itself; everything was so beautifully presented.

So when I came across Portrait of a Lady on Fire a couple of months ago, I was eager to know how the story would pan out and find out if it would make me fall in love all over again or leave me indifferent like countless other films. After I finished it, I was left speechless. What a wonderful piece of art.

About Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name is a movie set in stunning Italy in 1983. It is about a young boy, Elio, that spends the Summer in his parents' house, where he passes the time listening to music, reading books, and swimming in the deep, blue ocean. One day, Oliver, his father's new assistant, arrives at the village; after a cold and distant introduction, both characters start a beautiful love story filled with attraction, sentiments, and intensity.

About Picture of a Lady on Fire

Picture of a Lady on Fire is a historical romantic drama set in the late 18th century, on a magnificent and isolated island in France.

The story is about Marianne, a painter who is commissioned to paint the portrait of Heloïse, an aristocrat wife-to-be whose family hopes to secure in marriage by showing her husband the painting. Marianne must closely study her subject, as she is to paint the portrait in secret. In order to memorize her face well enough to paint her in confidence, she befriends Heloïse so she can grow close to the subject.

Using the creation of that portrait as a structural element in the film, the story looks through Marianne's eyes, as it reveals how a profound intimacy builds between the two women that will change both of their lives.

What makes Portrait of a Lady on Fire so special?

One of the things that made me fall in love with this movie is its execution and beauty. There is no single moment in the film that couldn't be captured and hung on a wall as high art. Every aspect of the drama - the lighting, the frames, the aesthetics, and the colors, is all in perfect harmony.

It was truly hypnotizing to watch.

Moreover, the music and silences build the perfect ambience during critical moments in the plot. And it was chosen so carefully that it positively adds to the movie in quite an unusual way.

I've heard some people talk about how it feels like a slow movie. Up to a certain point, I can understand why this piece might be too slow-going for some viewers; however, it never appeared dull to me. It's not a short movie, and because it sometimes lacks action, it could feel heavy if you aren't truly invested in the plot and narrative. In addition, the film taps into something elementally fascinating and moving. It is a slow-burn of a movie, but at its core, that is the most relatable kind of love, a feeling that exhausts, consumes, and makes us feel all sorts of ways. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a love story that feels alive but that's also realistic in how it unfolds and expands.

My favorite aspect of this movie is, by far, the narrative and story. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is set many years ago, but the story is quite modern and somewhat relatable with 21st-century thoughts and emotions. This movie seamlessly intertwines topics like love and politics, and it makes you feel like you are watching a breathtaking romance all while following a sociopolitical thriller.

The story is the perfect excuse to invite viewers to reflect on the constant oppression of women's will and desires. I truly enjoyed how, without showing men onscreen, the director is able to depict the numerous ways in which the patriarchy reduces the lives of the Héloïse and Marianne. The former is set to marry an Italian man against her will because of society's unwritten rules and preconceptions. On the other hand, Marianne is brought home by her mother in an attempt to prevent her from 'ruining the family's fortunes' like her sister. Thus, making them the perfect exemplification of how restricted and forgotten was the female plan during those times - which unfortunatly still is in some parts of the world.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire also opens up a more extensive discussion of the male gaze, especially in the world of art. That is, women must play into the fixed customs driven by firm patriarchy that decides how they should be represented in media, and without taking into consideration the female viewpoint.

Something that caught my eye was the costumes. The movie fascinatingly uses the costumes, as they are not used to glamorize the characters or divert attention from them. For the majority of the film, the ladies are wearing simple dresses, which makes them appear even more expressive and genuine.

When I first decided to watch the Portrait of a Lady on Fire, I was hesitant because, in my mind, like many lesbian romance movies, it was going to emphasize the taboos and focus on the shock factor that those can bring to the screen. However, I was mesmerized and sincerely pleased with how the director decided to address this topic. The story is developed as any other romance would, which makes it kind of relatable and allows you to empathize even more with the protagonists. Furthermore, the 'forbidden love' aspect makes it ten times more sensuous and more appealing as you are watching.

Another characteristic that undeniably surprised me was the sex scenes and nudity in the film. As I mentioned earlier, the whole drama could be in an art gallery, and sex scenes are no exception. The way that sex and nakedness are filmed resourcefully dodges cinematic canons; in fact, the only time we see Heloïse's fully nude body is in a bed, while Marianne gazes at her own reflection on a tiny mirror. That's because the emphasis isn't on the silhouettes of the feminine figure, but more on the emotional impact of a person as a whole, which I absolutely adore.

Acting is something that can make or break a film, and in this case, it makes Portrait of a Lady on Fire even better. The actresses are remarkable, and how they make the characters come to life is mesmerizing to watch. The movie sometimes lacks dialogue, and the fact that the leads made me feel so much without even uttering a word is incredible. Their eyes, their mouths, their body language and their movements are enough to convey so much. You can sense the intimacy and passion in the air, which is something very hard to achieve without speaking much.

They're also multi-dimensional characters with their own goals, dreams, conflicts and imperfections, which makes them feel relatable and familiar to the audience at all times. They seem like real people, and the depiction is so empathetic that my heart couldn't help but ache and sigh every few minutes.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire ticked all the boxes for me. This charming romance warmed my heart, broke it, and glued the pieces back countless times throughout the film. It made me appreciate what I have and how far we have come as women; it inspired me, it made me ponder, and most importantly, it made me feel all kinds of marvellous ways.

It is an astonishing piece of art that everybody should watch, regardless if you are a hard-core love fanatic like I am, or even if you prefer other genres for your midnight Netflix cravings. It is heartfelt, genuine, touching, thought-provoking, and perfectly executed, which only makes it better. So if you are looking for an authentic, romantic, and inspiring movie, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is definitely for you.

What if I love Portrait of a Lady on Fire?

If you decide to jump on the love wagon and you can't get enough of love, drama, and passion, I also have a couple of recommendations.

If you like intensity and are into the LGTBQ+ stories, Pain and Glory by Pedro Almódovar is definitely for you. This movie is about a film director who has no option but to reflect on the decisions he has made as the past and present come tumbling down around him.

Another excellent modern romance story is the one told in A Star is Born. With captivating music, outstanding performances, and a heart-warming story, it is the perfect movie for an afternoon of emotion, affection, and devotion.