On the way to the competition, however, Gabrielle recognizes the name of a street and immediately leaves the car in search of a particular address. On a resident list hanging in an apartment building she finds a name, and tears begin to form in her eyes. The film flashes back to a small village in the south of France during WWII: a teenage Gabrielle develops an intense infatuation with her school teacher, who has lent her his copy of Wuthering Heights.
Passionate and rebellious, she takes this gesture to mean that he desires her. However, upon hearing the news of her marriage, Gabrielle reminds Jose that they are strangers and asks him why he would choose to be unhappy. Understanding that her parents want to be rid of her, she ultimately agrees to the marriage on the condition that the two do not have sex.
From then on, they barely speak to each other. In order to save money, she agrees to have sex with him. The pair begins a passionate affair, which is cut short when the doctors tell Gabrielle she is cured and can return home to her husband. The actors in From the Land of the Moon succeed immensely at portraying their characters with an honesty that is deeply moving. The vulnerability and sorrow reflected with such clarity in her eyes allows audiences to truly feel her pain.
The cast as a whole skillfully conveys those emotions which are difficult both to endure and to witness. Though she infuses her film with passion, Garcia, along with collaborator Natalie Carter, communicates the universal desire for a deeper connection and the silent heartbreak that people endure when they fail to achieve it.
Agostine makes Gabrielle feel closer to home. You must be logged in to post a comment. No comments. Bottom Photo: Andre and Gabrielle sit together. Tags: FF2 Media. Jan Lisa Huttner 9 years ago.
