This was the must-see at The Telluride Film Festival in 2008 – even more so than was Slumdog Millionaire. I was fortunate to see it at the Opera House on opening night – I spoke with more than a few fellow patrons who were turned away from packed houses, some repeatedly.

And it was a terrific film, featuring, to my mind, the best performance by any actress in 2008. Upon watching the film, it might not be obvious who I mean, since both lead actresses are wonderful. But Kristin Scott Thomas is devastating – reminding us how possible it is for good actors to be forgotten, without the right roles. I think she is remembered most for Four Weddings and a Funeral, but, if you haven’t seen it, be sure to rent Angels and Insects to see her at her rawest, emotionally.

In I’ve Loved You So Long, Scott Thomas plays a woman just released from a long prison term into the care of her adoring younger sister, expertly played by Elsa Zylberstein. She is dumbfounded by her younger sister’s accepting attitude, which is indeed based on childish memories. As an audience, we are further mystified by Scott Thomas’ personal history. Director Philippe Claudel chooses to enlighten us incrementally – certainly not a groundbreaking method in the mystery genre, but one that works with beautifully oiled gears here, thanks in large part to Scott Thomas’ subtly filigreed facial expressions.

I’m always wary when a film depends so heavily on one actor’s performance. I find myself imagining the film with a lesser actor, and by then I’ve lost interest. But in the case of I’ve Loved You So Long, the plot is so ingenious, and above all Kristin Scott Thomas’ performance is so towering, that all imagined quibbles simply fall away in the wake.

Drama/Mystery

Rated PG-13

DVD Release Date: 3/3/09

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