Total Eclipse [1995] 2pts with Leondardo DiCaprio

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114702/




http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/total_eclipse/




Part 1: 1hr 57sec

Part 2: 50min 32sec



Total Eclipse (1995)



Total Eclipse is a 1995 film directed by Agnieszka Holland, based on a 1967 play by Christopher Hampton, who also wrote the screenplay. Based on letters and poems, it presents a historically accurate account of the passionate and violent homosexual relationship between the two 19th century French poets Paul Verlaine (David Thewlis) and Arthur Rimbaud (Leonardo DiCaprio), at a time of soaring creativity for both of them.



It is rated R in the USA for strong sexuality and nudity, language, and some startling violence.



Includes scenes of DiCaprio completely nude and engaging in simulated sexual activity. A man can dream, can't he?



Directed by Agnieszka Holland

Produced by Jean-Pierre Ramsay-Lev

Written by Christopher Hampton



Leonardo DiCaprio - Arthur Rimbaud

David Thewlis - Paul Verlaine

Romane Bohringer - Mathilde Maute

Dominique Blanc - Isabelle Rimbaud

Felicie Pasotti Cabarbaye - Isabelle, as a child

Nita Klein - Rimbaud's Mother

James Thiérrée - Frederic

Emmanuelle Oppo - Vitalie

Denise Chalem - Mrs. Maute De Fleurville

Andrzej Seweryn - Mr. Maute De Fleurville

Christopher Thompson - Carjat

Bruce Van Barthold - Aicard

Christopher Chaplin - Charles Cros

Christopher Hampton - The Judge

Mathias Jung - Andre



Music by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek

Cinematography Yorgos Arvanitis

Editing by Isabelle Lorente

Distributed by New Line Cinema

Release date(s) 1995

Running time 111 min.

Country UK / France / Belgium / Italy

Language English





The most common criticism was that the film never explained the importance of these two great poets' work, especially their role in the development of the Symbolist movement. Critics also said the film had little character development aside from showing the two famous French poets at a critical and radically unhappy moment in their lives.



Critics felt that the film showed a limited sense of what life was like in late-nineteenth century Europe. It largely, but not totally, ignores the two poets' history before and after they met, which makes it harder for the uneducated viewer to understand why a film about their lives was made. It might be very difficult for someone who is not familiar with late nineteenth century French literature to understand or appreciate what is happening in the film.



Critics did generally feel that the acting, musical score and cinematography were all well done, although some felt that DiCaprio played the character too closely to his role in the film The Basketball Diaries.



Gay film critics noted that the film allowed the two poets to come out of the closet, and made a point of dealing with gay and straight love scenes even-handedly.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimbaud_and_modern_culture