Watch An Impossible Love

An Impossible Love is a 2018 French drama film that is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Christine Angot. The movie tells the compelling story of a turbulent mother-daughter relationship that spans over four decades. The film begins in the 1950s in Châteauroux, France, where a young woman named Rachel (played by Virginie Efira) falls in love with a much older man named Philippe (played by Niels Schneider). Despite the age difference and the disapproval of Rachel's family, the couple begins a passionate relationship, and Rachel soon becomes pregnant with their daughter, Chantal. However, Philippe is not interested in being a father or husband, and he abandons Rachel and their child.

Rachel decides to raise Chantal on her own, with the help of her supportive parents. As Chantal grows up, Rachel becomes increasingly obsessed with her daughter's life and career choices. She wants Chantal to succeed and fulfill her own unfulfilled dreams, and she will stop at nothing to achieve this.

As Chantal enters adulthood, she rebels against her mother's expectations and decides to pursue her own dreams, including a relationship with a woman named Lydia (played by Jehnny Beth). Rachel is horrified by her daughter's same-sex relationship and tries to intervene, causing a rift between them.

The story then jumps forward in time to the 1980s and 1990s, where Chantal and Lydia continue their relationship and Rachel struggles to let go of her obsession with her daughter's life. Rachel's desire to control her daughter's life ultimately leads to tragic consequences for them all.

An Impossible Love is a powerful and emotional film that explores themes of motherhood, love, and the consequences of obsession. Virginie Efira gives a standout performance as Rachel, portraying her character with depth and complexity. Niels Schneider is equally impressive as the charming but irresponsible Philippe, while Jehnny Beth brings a quiet strength to her role as Lydia.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning visuals of the French countryside and evocative period details. Director Catherine Corsini has crafted a gripping and compelling story that will stay with audiences long after the credits roll.

Overall, An Impossible Love is a must-see film for fans of character-driven dramas and poignant human stories. It is a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges of family relationships and the difficult choices we sometimes have to make in order to find happiness and fulfillment in life.

An Impossible Love is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.