The Double Life Of Veronique Reviews

A visual poem

Strange and rather beautiful, filmed with Kieslowski's characteristic attention to detail, and carried off wonderfully by Irene Jacob at the heart of the film.

Her emotional sensitivity and sheer heart-melting loveliness make the shift from Polish Weronika to French Veronique work seamlessly, when it could easly have been a spectacular failure.

The film's dream -like narrative - full of contradictions, loose ends and mysterious connections that never quite make sense - is well-suited to the enigmatic subject matter, though it probably won't suit everyone's tastes.

If you're looking for a belting good story with a logical development, look elsewhere. Veronique will only work for you if you approach it as poetry rather than as narrative - as a poetic exploration of a young woman's inner world(s). The film is littered with metaphor and visual symbolism, but it is not a film with a mystery that can be 'solved' in any rational way.

You could view 'The Double Life Of Veronique' as a curious prelude to the 'Three Colours trilogy', or you could study it the better to understand why it doesn't quite achieve the perfection of those three wonderful films. Or you could simply enjoy it as a fascinating artwork in its own right.

In spite of its flaws it is, as Jacob herself observes in an interview on the bonus disc of this package, one of those films that really seems to take people on a journey.

Superb

Just like the Three Colours series a spellbinding acting little dialogue driven movie with fantastic music to boot - very through composed. Irene Jacob was as always fantastic in her various portrayals of the double character, very thorough. Well directed. NOT worth getting the 2nd disc unless you are a film buff.

Subtle Perfection

A work of genius, this film just blew me away when I first saw it years ago. I cant wait for the DVD to come out. The story is slight but the perfomances are uniformly brilliant. Highly recommended for anyone thar doesn't appreciate the usual Hollywood fare. Youll leave this film asking lots of questions, it will make you think.

Also the lead actor is just stunning.

Beautiful, gothic fantasy, but not that clever.

This film draws you in, and though nothing much in the way of plot or dialogue seems to happen, you can find yourself hooked. It is indeed haunting and beautiful, and deserves a good rating for that.

However, I fail to see or understand the 'philosophy' referred to by other reviewers, and so cannot give it a top rating. Though I enjoyed it for it's dark, gothic, romantic tone, and the lead actress is lovely, I finished the film feeling that it was really all a bit of nonsense. A romantic fantasy perhaps, but baffling. And as for the leading man, I strongly disagree that he was gorgeous, as in fact, he gave me the creeps and I fully expected him to turn out to be a villain !

This was an enjoyable film, but don't be fooled into believing that it is truly thought-provoking. The duality of existence ? Philosophical ? Mmmn...

Brilliant cinema

One of the finest films of recent years, 'La double vie' is stunning. The central idea - that there are subtle and invisible links between us all - is worked out in a film that has little plot, yet hints at depths that provoke thought and leave you haunted by scenes, incidents and words long after the film has finished. I've seen this film 3or4 times and can't wait to see it again. It is simply brilliant, and Irene Jacob is perfect!

Time, beautifully wasted

It's ironic a film supposedly about deep connections and love of life should be such an alienating bore. It is beautifully shot and, at times, beautiful to listen to, yet I found myself getting sleepier as it progressed. It occurred to me that the director must have intentionally made the film so seductive yet so tedious to convey to the viewer in a very real sense how precious every minute of life is. While watching this slow, lovely nothing of a film, I felt a heightened awareness of time being misspent. In this sense, 'The Double life of Veronique' is a profound work of art.

Don't waste your time

I love foreign films, I love quirky films, I hated this film.

Nothing fitted right about it.

[Highly rated reviewer]

???

This has a million awards and great reviews behind it but it sailed majestically over my head.

Double life of Veronzzzzzzzzz...........zzzzzzz........

This is the only film I have ever fallen asleep through at the cinema.I watched it all the way through on TV and wished I had fallen asleep again.I do understand the themes of the film. There may be hundreds of my doubles walking around but if I or anyone I know never meet them, so what?

Interesting

It was interesting, intriguing and definetly worth a watch. well directed and well enacted.