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Jun 11, 2015 By Austin Trunick Web Exclusive

Gustave Flaubert’s famous novel of misery and adultery comes to the screen for at least the 10^th time in filmmaker Sophie Barthes’ poetically-filmed adaptation. The major story beats are retained: young, beautiful Emma marries Charles Bovary, a kind but un-ambitious country doctor. She quickly tires not only of her good-natured husband, but life in the sticks of northern France; she fills this growing void with extravagant purchases and extramarital affairs, first with the region’s wealthiest landowner first and then a hopelessly romantic law student. Eventually, Madame Bovary’s debts and deceptions catch up with her, leading to her unhappy conclusion.

Barthes’ version of Madame Bovary is beautifully-shot and scored. It condenses the often-told story, removing the Bovarys’ daughter and discarding Charles’ story before and after their marriage. The film sets focus squarely on Emma and paints her as a miserable, unsympathetic creature; a seducer and a willful manipulator. As Emma, Mia Wasikowska proves herself again—following incredible turns in Tracks and Maps to the Stars—to be one of the best young actresses working today. Her dissatisfaction and loathing for life burns just beneath the surface of her skin.The fine cast also includes Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Rhys Ifans, Paul Giamatti, and Laura Carmichael. Ezra Miller, who plays Emma’s suitor, Leon Dupuis, is the ensemble’s lone weak spot; he fails to instill in the romantic, young law clerk any degree of confidence. At its strongest moments, their relationship feels painful lopsided in Emma’s direction, and totally unconvincing at its worst.

www.madamebovarythemovie.com

Madame Bovary arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on August 4th, 2015.

Author rating: 7/10