Il y a longtemps que je t'aime

There is a lovely, short scene in this movie that personifies the difference between a very good film and the run-of-the-mill garbage you get here at our local outlet-mall cinema. Juliette sits on a park bench, her reading glasses halfway down her nose, reading the last page of a book. She takes in that last sentence, straightens a little, closes the book and, with that gesture that is so familiar to a lover of books, rubs her hands affectionately over its cover. She thinks for a second, looks around, and returns to caressing the book with a slight smile. That's it. Less than 30 seconds.

Kristin Scott Thomas is inspired in this subtle character drama about a woman who has spent the last 15 years of her life in prison for a mysterious crime. It's also about forgiveness, trust and hope, and is surprisingly uplifting considering the tragedy at its core. I know, I know—this will not appeal to everyone, but I was very moved.