We like movies about writers. Especially when the writers are theater critics scribbling overnight reviews with quill pens. Lucien de Rubempré (Benjamin Voisin, who carries the picture) is an aspiring poet in 19th century France. His expressive visage-- along with beautiful costumes and mise-en-scene evoking Restoration France -- is the main attraction of the 150-minute LOST ILLUSIONS, based on a novel by Balzac. A provincial guy, Lucien upgrades to Paris only to be dropped by his perfidious lover (the luminous Cécile de France). The road gets rockier when Lucien sets his moral compass to a behemoth crooked publisher (Gérard Depardieu). A zoftig chorus girl-turned-actress (the aptly named Salomé Dewaels, a weak cast member) also gets Lucien sorted out. This richly produced period drama explores the gnarly roots of 'pay-for-play' journalism. Winner of 7 César Awards.
