Portrait of a Lady on Fire sets up a rather intriguing premise - an artist who has to draw a subject who refuses to pose. But it evolves into much more than that. The movie is about a few things, with utmost focus. It's about living as a woman in 18th century France, it's about forbidden romance, and it's about being artist.
While everything about this film is top notch, there are two cornerstones of this film, where it truly transcends the medium. The first - it's all about the characters. From the writing, to the acting, to how they are captured cinematically - this is one of the finest portrayals of two characters in years. Adele Hanael and Noemie Merlant deliver incredible performance full of nuance and subtlety. Indeed, this permeates through everything in the film - everything is finely subtle and nuanced to perfection. There are no loud markers anywhere, everything is paced deliberately - it's all about creating a convincing experience.
The second is the cinematography. Period films often go far to create fancy costumes, rich sets and beautiful landscapes. Some even go with flashy camerawork, like 1917. There's none of that in Portrait. Instead, it's about pure visual storytelling, how your characters inhibit the frame, how they are lensed and lit, and how they are edited. Every shot is immaculately composed, and every shot lasts just as long as it should. The editing is pitch perfect. There are plenty of memorable images and moments throughout the film that'll stay with me for long.
All of that creates an immersive atmosphere and sense of being. There are no tricks here - it's all about being truthful to the setting. But ultimately, it's a great romance which has it all - the sexual tension is palpable, the few moments of freedom exhilarating, and like all forbidden romances, there are as many moments of heartbreak.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is one of the finest films of 2019, right up there with Parasite and John Wick 3. (Yes, I know, very different films, but quality transcends genre.) A must watch for all cinephiles, and I'd even recommend it to more casual viewers.