I've Loved You So Long 2008

When Juliette Fontaine, a former doctor, is released from prison, her younger sister Léa offers her a place to stay with her family. This includes Léa’s husband, his mute father, and their two adopted daughters from Vietnam in their home located in the charming university town of Nancy, Lorraine. As the story unfolds, the dark truths surrounding Juliette’s incarceration gradually come to light — she spent 15 years behind bars for committing murder, specifically the murder of her own 6-year-old son, Pierre. The film carefully reveals the harrowing reasons behind this heartbreaking act.

Léa, a literature professor, is noticeably younger than Juliette. After the heinous nature of Juliette’s crime, their parents chose to disown her, which meant Léa was never allowed to visit her sister in prison. It’s pivotal to note that Juliette made a conscious decision to remain silent during her trial, which has left Léa completely in the dark regarding the incident. Throughout the film, Léa persistently seeks answers, but Juliette remains reticent until the climactic moments.

Amidst her struggles to secure a job, Juliette finds solace in platonic relationships with two men: her empathetic probation officer, who understands the emotional scars left by prison life, and Michel, one of Léa’s colleagues, who provides her with moral support in the aftermath of her traumatic past.

Slowly but surely, Juliette begins to reintegrate into Léa’s family life, forming bonds with her nieces while also securing a steady position as a hospital secretary. However, the relationship poses a challenge for Léa’s husband, who is naturally anxious about the potential risks associated with having a convicted murderer around the children. Over time, he witnesses Juliette’s nurturing side, leading him to soften his initial stance toward her.

In a poignant moment, Léa convinces Juliette to visit their mother, who has been placed in a nursing home suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. For a fleeting instant, their mother recognizes Juliette, enveloping her in a warm embrace as she recalls memories of her as a little girl, rather than the estranged daughter who caused such unbearable grief.

The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Léa uncovers crucial information about Pierre’s fate. She learns that Juliette diagnosed her son with a terminal illness that would lead to excruciating suffering. Confronted with this revelation, Juliette explains that in a moment of desperation, she opted to end Pierre’s suffering through an injection, driven by the belief that he would endure unimaginable pain otherwise. Her silence during the trial stemmed from deep remorse for what she perceived as her failure in bringing her son into a world of suffering.

The film culminates in a heart-wrenching exchange between the sisters, where, after an emotional catharsis, Léa gazes out a window, marveling at the beauty of the rain. In a reflective moment, Juliette acknowledges, “I am here.” This speaks volumes about her journey of seeking redemption and reconnecting with the world around her.