Gemma Bovery (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Anne Fontaine (director) |
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Comedy-drama film |
Gemma Bovery is a 2014 French comedy-drama motion picture adapted from the 1999 graphic novel by Posy Simmonds bearing the same title. Directed by Anne Fontaine, the cast includes Gemma Arterton, Jason Flemyng, Mel Raido, and Fabrice Luchini. The film made its debut at the Festival du Film Francophone d'Angoulême on 24 August 2014 and was later showcased within the Special Presentations category at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2014.
Plot
Martin, once a Parisian baker, now residing in a Normandy village, notices a British couple named Gemma and Charles Bovery settling into a nearby old house. Their names are reminiscent of characters from Gustave Flaubert's 1856 work Madame Bovary. Martin witnesses Gemma’s actions reflecting those of her literary namesake’s romantic affairs, hinting at an equally sorrowful fate. Despite Martin’s attempts to intervene, events unfold unchanged.
Cast
- Fabrice Luchini as Martin Joubert
- Gemma Arterton as Gemma Bovery
- Jason Flemyng as Charlie Bovery
- Mel Raido as Patrick, Gemma's former partner and food critic
- Isabelle Candelier as Valérie Joubert
- Niels Schneider as Hervé de Bressigny
- Elsa Zylberstein as Wizzy
- Pip Torrens as Rankin
- Kacey Mottet Klein as Julien Joubert
- Édith Scob as Madame de Bressigny
- Pascale Arbillot as The new neighbour
Pre-production
In early 2013, director Anne Fontaine confirmed her involvement in leading the project, with producers Philippe Carcassonne and Faye Ward attached.
Filming
The main shooting took place across France during the summer and fall of 2013.
Reception
By July 2020, the film had earned a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 90 critiques, with an average score of 5.99/10. The general consensus praises Gemma Arterton’s captivating portrayal but critiques the film for lacking clear direction. On Metacritic, it received a score of 58 out of 100 from 27 reviewers, reflecting mixed or average feedback.