The Story of Adèle H

Based on a true story, The Story of Adele H. follows the tragic downward spiral of Adele Hugo, the youngest daughter of famous writer Victor Hugo, as she is consumed by unrequited love. In the 1860s, Adele leaves France and settles in Halifax, Canada, in search of Lieutenant Pinson, the former lover who has rejected her. Consumed by her obsession with Pinson, Adele dedicates herself entirely to winning him back, despite his clear indifference and broken promises. She writes fervent letters, invents stories to elicit his sympathy, and compromises her reputation and dignity in the process. Her relentless pursuit isolates her, driving her deeper into psychological and emotional turmoil.

The film explores the fragility of the human psyche in the face of all-consuming passion and the pain of rejection. Isabelle Adjani's haunting portrayal of Adele captures both the tragedy and fascination of a woman trapped by desire and delusion. François Truffaut's subtle and elegant direction crafts a poignant portrait of a woman's quest for love and descent into madness. The Story of Adele H. is a heartbreaking reflection on obsessive love and the destructive power of loneliness, capturing both the beauty and the sorrow of an impossible passion.

Thibault Ramet (Lettres, UNIL)