Jefferson in Paris
by James Ivory
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Greta Scacchi, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lambert Wilson, Nick Nolte, Thandie NewtonDirector: James Ivory
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Producer: Ismail Merchant
Writer: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); French (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 139 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-04-06
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Touchstone Home Entertainment
Product features:
- Hollywood favorite Nick Nolte (I LOVE TROUBLE, PRINCE OF TIDES) stars with the sexy Greta Scacchi (SHATTERED, PRESUMED INNOCENT) in this impassioned story of forbidden love! During one man's unforgettable visit to liberal and socially permissive France, he meets and falls in love with a worldly and mysterious woman! But when the alluring charms of another prove irresistible, he finds himself c
Movie Reviews of Jefferson in Paris
Movie Review: Jefferson in Paris- A Must See !
Summary: 5 Stars
Just finished watching Jefferson in Paris again for what seems like the upmteenth time and am amazed by how much more I undertood the movie this time around, and how much of its many nuancies I'd missed, or simply forgotten, from previous viewings. For example, the almost competitive nature of the relationship between the perpetually sickly and sullen looking Martha "Patsy", Jefferson's daughter and the enigmatic Mrs. Conway, played by the incomparable Greta Sacchi; Mr. Conway's inexplicable jealousy at the blossoming relationship between his wife and Jefferson, even in spite of his flagrant homosexuality (addressed in a sublte, yet clear fashion, another example of this film's classiness), and much more.
From the beautifully hypnotic and classical soundtrack (an escapists dream), to the movie's scenery and wardrobe that encapsulates the European decadence of the period, this movie is one of my all time favorites.
There is so much more to praise about this film: for starters, the historical accuracy of the portrayal of the events of France in that period, the director's ability to entertwine both the historical events of the time with a little poetic justice to fill in those gaps which history books have oft left unfilled (such as Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemmings played with such nymph-like and utterly stunning talent by the amazing Thandie Newton), and much more.
Nick Nolte is perfect in his role as Jefferson, and lends a keen sensitivity (not to mention sexiness!) to the character; Gweneth Paltrow does a wonderful job of making Patsy one of my least favorite characters in the movie: her sullen, bitter, jealous, clinging and insecure nature comes shining through under Paltrow's characterization, helping us to understand just how plausible it might have been for an incestuous relationship to have existed between herself and her father.
The actor who plays James Hemming deserves much praise also in his rare portrayal of a young slave who is not only alert, smary (able to learn French and the art of French cusine without much help) and canny, but who is also endowed with the ability to reason and understand the liberties to which he is entitled as a human being, despite the clear absence of a formal education America's institution of slavery has denied him, his sister and the countless others of their position.
However, the bulk of my praise goes to Thandie Newton and her portrayal of the young Sally Hemmings. Thandie lends to Hemmings a naivete, innocence, virginity, vulnerability, good-natured childishness, beauty and myriad more qualities which at once make it easy to understand how Jefferon could so easily have engaged in an ongoing relationship with her. If the household in which he lived in true life was anything close to that portrayed in the film, then who could blame him for finding solace in the childish wit and the naively entertaining qualities and charm of a girl like Sally? It would appear that his household prior to her arrival was not entirely dissimilar to that of a dark hospital room- prisine, sanitary and markedly devoid of the sunlight and laughter which Sally Hemmings' presence was clearly able to illicit from the previously astute Jefferson.
An A-plus cast, an exquisite soundtrack, coupled with an excellent attention to historical events of the time, make this one of my favorite period pieces. Ivory fans will not be disappointed. A must see for all those who profess to be American history buffs and those who share a love for escapist flights into a period in American and French history not too often portrayed in movies.
Summary of Jefferson in Paris
Hollywood favorite Nick Nolte (I LOVE TROUBLE, THE PRINCE OF TIDES) stars with the sexy Greta Scacchi (SHATTERED, PRESUMED INNOCENT) in this impassioned story of forbidden love! During one man's unforgettable visit to liberal and socially permissive France, he meets and falls in love with a worldly and mysterious woman! But when the alluring charms of another prove irresistible, he finds himself courting scandal in a heated triangle of passion and desire! Another acclaimed triumph from Merchant-Ivory Productions, award-winning creators of HOWARDS END, THE REMAINS OF THE DAY, and A ROOM WITH A VIEW -- JEFFERSON IN PARIS delivers stylish and highly provocative big-screen entertainment!While American history buffs and Gwyneth Paltrow fans will want to own this movie just because, it actually compels the viewer to examine the life of our third president a little more closely. Jefferson focuses on the mid-1780s, when widower and pre-presidency Jefferson (Nick Nolte) replaces Benjamin Franklin as the U.S. representative to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. A lively period, to say the least. And lively, too, is Jefferson, keeping time with a married woman (Greta Scacchi). Also in Paris is one of Jefferson's six children, his eldest daughter Patsy (Paltrow), who went on to have 12 children of her own--remarkable for the time. When another daughter dies back in Virginia, Jefferson sends for his youngest, who brings along her slave, Sally Hemings (a luminescent Thandie Newton), then 15. As nearly everyone knows now, Jefferson allegedly had a long relationship with Hemings and, reportedly, several children with her. This Merchant-Ivory production, written by frequent collaborator Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, languidly attempts to depict a complete portrait of the obviously complex and conflicted Jefferson, who kept slaves but penned the Declaration of Independence.
Initially, Nolte may seem an odd choice--he doesn't resemble the familiar visage on a nickel (or $2 bill). Still, Nolte's performance and his contemporary feel lend a credibility and immediacy to the fascinating story--however true or apocryphal it may be. --Nadine Mendoza
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