Juniper Lee

This film was a masterpiece. The way the main characters showed their attraction for each other was subtle but powerful; a single glance conveyed so much emotion. There was an intimacy between the painter and the subject that only grew and evolved over time. This movie tackled issues women faced in that time period with realism, but it didn’t devolve too much into despair. A Portrait of a Lady on Fire conveyed the struggle between the transformative power of love and societal norms. The isolated and sometimes bleak, but scenic setting provided a perfect backdrop for a forbidden love affair. Every dress, every angle of the camera was meticulously crafted to evoke a particular emotion. The fact that it’s set in France adds to the beauty of it.