i've loved you so long

or correctly known as - il y a longtemps que je t'aime
there are 2 big reasons to see this one - firstly it's french
but more significantly it stars english actor kristin scott thomas
she plays juliette a lady released from prison after 15 years for murder
and almost unrecognisable in the early scenes following her release
similarly impressive is that she seems to speak french like a local
she has flown across france to be met and taken in by her younger sister
who has married, adopted 2 vietnamese children and taken in her father-in-law
there is hostility from the husband and curiosity from the children
towards this mysterious new person now in their home and lives
her background is kept a secret so there is some tension around that
we know of her past but are not aware of the details of her crime
as she settles in juliette slowly and reluctantly allows others to get close
there's a sympathetic police officer who she has to report to
her young niece who though curious loves her new found aunt
and a male friend of her sister who understands and falls for juliette
but it's the relationship with her sister lea that is the most complex
lea has had to deal with abandonment and shame in the family
it is revealed that juliette's crime was the murder of her own son
this has had a direct and sad effect on the life of her sister
but lea does love juliette dearly and hence the title of the film
lea then goes about protecting, embracing and understanding juliette
in a way it's such a simple scenario but the relationships are complicated
over time we see juliette transform before our very eyes
starting out as a damaged, detached, timid and unhappy being
but with the love extended to her she slowly and beautifully transforms
the climax of the film sees lea stumble across some clues to juliettes crime
leading to a final scene in which she confronts juliette in pursuit of the truth
a stunning display of raw emotion as each woman angrily reacts to the other
but it's a sad truth that means we all have compassion for juliette
bringing tears to eyes both on and off the big screen in front of me
and the final words uttered in the film as significant as all others
this is such an amazing film based on human relationships
there are so many going on but all valid and believable
kristen scott thomas has delivered another exemplary performance
which had me thinking at the end of the film she should get an oscar
and also thinking no wonder nicole youre-kidding-man has gone to ground
a total amateur compared to what this lady is capable of as an actor
loved this film - and not just because it's french