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Total Eclipse
UK / France 1995 Color
Total Eclipse

Impassioned by genious. Inflamed by desire. Imprisoned by love


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.

Genre(s)/keyword(s): Gay / Adaptation / Biopic / Drama / Period / Romance
Certification: USA: R
MPAA reasons: Rated R for strong sexuality and nudity, language, and some startling violence.
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo
Runtime: USA: 110
Location: Paris, France / Belgium / Djibouti
Theatrical Release: 11/03/1995
Video Release: 05/21/1996
Produced by: Fine Line
Distributed by: Fine Line Features (LA) / Feature Film Company / New Line Home Entertainment / Nippon Herald Films Inc / Portman Productions
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)

 

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