La peau de chagrin
La peau de chagrin

Movie spotlight

La peau de chagrin

1980
Movie
140 min
French

Raphaël de Valentin is a tormented, hopeless and penniless young aristocrat. An old antique dealer gives him a sorrowful skin that has the power to grant all the wishes of its owner. But he warns him: with each wish granted, the size of the skin will shrink.

Insights

IMDb6.0/10
Director: Michel BoisrondGenres: Drama, Fantasy

Plot Summary

Based on Honoré de Balzac's novel, the story follows Raphaël de Valentin, a young nobleman deeply in debt and disillusioned with life. He stumbles upon an ancient magical talisman, a piece of shagreen leather, which grants his every wish. However, each wish granted causes the talisman to shrink, and with it, Raphaël's life force diminishes.

Critical Reception

This television adaptation of Balzac's classic novel received a mixed reception. While some praised its visual interpretation and the performances, others found it to be a somewhat condensed and less impactful version of the complex literary source material. Its broadcast quality and artistic choices were points of discussion.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually attempts to capture the opulence and despair of Balzac's world.

  • Performances are generally solid, though some find the characters underdeveloped.

  • Pacing can feel rushed, sacrificing depth for narrative progression.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this particular television film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

This adaptation was made for French television and aired as part of a series dedicated to literary works, highlighting the rich literary heritage of France.

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