Watch The Strange Case of Delfina Potocka: The Mystery of Chopin

The Strange Case of Delfina Potocka: The Mystery of Chopin is a 1999 British-Polish film directed by Tony Palmer. The movie tells the story of Frédéric Chopin and his relationship with the Countess Delfina Potocka. The film takes place in the early 19th century France and Poland, depicting Chopin's rise as a composer and his eventual departure from Poland to Paris. The movie portrays Chopin as a sensitive and emotional person, who falls in love with the Countess Delfina Potocka, a married woman with whom he develops a close relationship.

The story begins with the arrival of Potocka to Chopin's home in Paris, where he is living with his lover, the writer Amandine Dupin, also known as George Sand. Potocka, an aristocrat from Poland, is seeking Chopin's help to write a memoir about her life. Chopin is hesitant at first, but he eventually agrees to help her. As he starts to work on the memoir, he begins to uncover Potocka's secrets, including a mysterious past relationship with a man named Zdzisław, whom she claims to have killed in self-defense.

Chopin becomes increasingly obsessed with Potocka, and their relationship becomes more complicated as time goes by. Their conversations are filled with passion and tenderness, and they share a deep bond through their love of music. Potocka is depicted as an intelligent, refined, and enigmatic woman, whose beauty and charm captivate Chopin.

As the story unfolds, we see Chopin's declining health and his struggle with tuberculosis. He is haunted by his past and the specter of his own mortality, and he finds solace only in his music and in Potocka's company. The movie portrays Chopin as a gifted composer, whose music is both beautiful and melancholic, reflecting his own emotional state.

The film is visually stunning, with breathtaking landscapes and elegant 19th-century costumes. The music, of course, is a central element of the movie, with performances of Chopin's most famous pieces, played by pianist Valentina Igoshina. The music evokes a sense of longing, melancholy, and passion, expressing the complex emotions of the characters.

The performances are outstanding, especially Paul Rhys as Chopin and Penelope Wilton as Potocka. Rhys portrays Chopin as a tortured and vulnerable soul, whose sensitivity is both a curse and a blessing. Wilton is excellent as Potocka, conveying both her strength and vulnerability, as well as her love for Chopin.

The Strange Case of Delfina Potocka: The Mystery of Chopin is an intense and emotional film, a beautifully crafted exploration of the relationship between two fascinating historical figures. The movie ends with a sense of tragedy and loss, but also of artistic beauty and transcendence. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in Chopin's life and music, as well as for those who enjoy period drama and romance.

The Strange Case of Delfina Potocka: The Mystery of Chopin is a 1999 history movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.