Reviewed by Doug Cooper
Stars Yolande Moreau, Ulrich Tuker, Anne Bennent, Genevieve Mnich, Nico Rogner, Adelaide Leroux, Serge Lariviere, Francoise Lebrun, Jean-Pascal Abribat
Written by Martin Provost
Certification UK PG | Australia PG
Runtime 121 minutes
Directed by Martin Provost
Seven Cesar awards, including Best Film, Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay, seems a bit over-the top for this straightforward costume drama. It's well made, efficiently done and certainly watchable but never that gripping or involving.
Praise must be given though to the two lead performers. Moreau is excellent as the unconfident and largely ignored maid with a talent for painting and Tulur gives a subtly nuanced turn as her benefactor.
It begins in 1912, with Seraphine working as a cleaner in a town near Paris. Through her employer she is engaged to also work in the home of German art critic Wilhelm Uhde. He spots a painting by the maid and is immediately enthralled, encouraging her to give up her day job and concentrate on her art work full time. She however initially lacks the confidence and doesn't trust her talent.
After the Great War he returns to France in 1927, living with his male lover and sister in Chantilly. Seraphine has continued with her painting throughout this time while still working as a cleaner. He tries to sell her work but slowly the woman loses her sanity.
Based on a true story, it maintains interest throughout and is never melodramatic, always retaining a plausible air, but though it defies standard biopic clichés it never fully comes to life. One admires it from a distance and the climactic scenes, which should be truly powerful, fail to draw one in as they should. A solid effort to be sure but it fails to score a bullseye.