Total Eclipse

Impassioned by genious. Inflamed by desire.
Imprisoned by love.

UK / France 1995 Color

Synopsis: The destructive relationship between two famed French
     19th-century poets, Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine,
     provides the basis of this biography that centers less on the
     poets' art and more upon their tumultuous sexual
     relationships. The tale begins as the naive Rimbaud leaves
     his rural home and enters the sophisticated of Verlaine and
     his pregnant wife, Mathilde. Rimbaud is a radical who
     flaunts his bohemian ways. He is arrogant and rude, but
     this doesn't prevent Verlaine from falling for him and from
     helping his career because he is inflamed by Rimbaud's
     revolutionary ideas. Eventually the two become lovers.
     Their frequent sadomasochistic lovemaking bouts are fairly
     graphic. Later Verlaine is seen making love to his wife
     after abusing her and their child. Their strange
     relationship continues until Verlaine is imprisoned for two
     years after committing sodomy. During this time
     Rimbaud heads for Africa where he has numerous sexual
     encounters with women.  It is there that he loses his
     passion for poetry, but his reasons why are not explained.

Produced by: Fine Line / Fine Line Features (distributor)
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo
Genre(s)/keyword(s): gay
Certification: USA:R
MPAA reasons: Rated R for strong sexuality and nudity, language, 
              and some startling violence.
Runtime: USA:110

Directed by
     Agnieszka Holland

Cast (in credits order)
     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 Thierree .... 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
     Kettly Noel .... Somalian Woman
     Cheb Han .... Djami

Written by
     Christopher Hampton

Cinematography by
     George Arvanitis

Music by
     Jan A.P. Kaczmarek

Production Design by
     Dan Weil

Costume Design by
     Pierre-Yves Gairaud

Film Editing by
     Isabelle Lorente

Produced by
     Staffan Ahrenberg (executive)
     Jean-Yves Asselin (executive)
     Pascale Faubert (executive)
     Philip Hinchcliffe (co-producer)
     Cat Villiers (co-producer)





Links:

     Comprehensive Site, Fine Line Features

     Comprehensive Site, Alliance Multiplex

     Movie Summary w/Cyber Add-Ins, Hollywood's Coming!

     Movie Review, Edward Guthmann, Movies.net

     Movie Review, Gregory A. Swarthout

     Movie Review, Mary Brennan, Mr. Showbiz

     Movie Review, Scott Renshaw, Route 66 Online

     Movie Review, Gemma Files, eye WEEKLY

     Movie Review, John Teegarden, Film.com

     Movie Review, Tom Keogh, Film.com

     Movie Review, Bruce Reid, Film.com

     Movie Review, Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

     Movie Review, Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

     Movie Review, PHANTOM Magazine (en espanol)