Lost Illusions

Play trailer

2:20

Lost Illusions

2022,

2h 29m,

Drama/

History

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Lost Illusions: Trailer 1

Now Playing

View more videos

Stream Now

Watchlist

93%

55 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In 1821, Lucien de Rubempré (César winner Benjamin Voisin) arrives in Paris as a sensitive, and idealistic young poet determined to write a reputation-making novel. Instead, he finds himself swept into journalism, whose influence and reach is booming with the help of the printing press, widely available of late. Under the mentorship of cynical editor Étienne Lousteau (César winner Vincent Lacoste), Lucien agrees to write rave theater reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience. With this sweeping adaptation of one of Balzac's greatest novels, Xavier Giannoli crafts a contemporary tale of corruption amidst an early form of "fake news".

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Stream

Prime Video

Watch Lost Illusions with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango, or buy on Fandango.

Critics Consensus

Lost Illusions honors its classic source material with a beautifully acted drama that untangles knotty themes with infectious energy.

Read Critics Reviews

Steve Davis

Austin Chronicle

Jul 7, 2022

The only way to avoid a disastrous debut is to shell out a higher fee to the provocateur in return for applause and a standing ovation... Lost Illusions deserves this rave simply based on its commendable merits.

Go to Full Review

Noëlle D. Lilley

Chicago Reader

Jul 1, 2022

Xavier Giannoli’s film is hilarious and always moving with vivid colors and rapid-fire narration that in another movie might feel heavy-handed but here is a guiding force that gives a fascinating quasi-history lesson.

Go to Full Review

Pat Padua

Washington Post

Jun 28, 2022

3.5/4

Lost Illusions vividly depicts a time when life was more hands-on, when writing with pen and ink stained the skin and disgruntled audiences hurled actual rotten tomatoes at performers.

Go to Full Review

Stephanie Bunbury

Deadline Hollywood Daily

Sep 16, 2023

It may not be innovative, but it is certainly grand.

Go to Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

Video Librarian Magazine

Oct 1, 2022

4/5

Students of French history and literature, particularly the post-Napoleonic/Bourbon Restoration era and the works of Honoré Balzac, are likely to find Lost Illusions of interest.

Go to Full Review

Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

Aug 18, 2022

Xavier Giannoli’s truly sumptuous adaptation of Honoré de Balzac’s novel Lost Illusions is prescient, modern, and yet thoroughly grounded in its time.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Xavier Giannoli

Director

Benjamin Voisin

Lucien

Cécile de France

Louise de Bargeton

Vincent Lacoste

Etienne Lousteau

Xavier Dolan

Nathan d'Anastazio

Salomé Dewaels

Coralie

Between Two Worlds

79%

83%

Between Two Worlds

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Between Two Worlds

The Accusation

88%

60%

The Accusation

Watchlist

Oleg

89%

Oleg

Watchlist

Drift Away

64%

Drift Away

Watchlist

Moneyboys

92%

Moneyboys

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Lost Illusions: Trailer 1

2:20

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1821, Lucien de Rubempré (César winner Benjamin Voisin) arrives in Paris as a sensitive, and idealistic young poet determined to write a reputation-making novel. Instead, he finds himself swept into journalism, whose influence and reach is booming with the help of the printing press, widely available of late. Under the mentorship of cynical editor Étienne Lousteau (César winner Vincent Lacoste), Lucien agrees to write rave theater reviews for bribes, achieving material success at the expense of his conscience. With this sweeping adaptation of one of Balzac's greatest novels, Xavier Giannoli crafts a contemporary tale of corruption amidst an early form of "fake news".

Director: Xavier Giannoli
Screenwriter: Jacques Fieschi, Xavier Giannoli, Jacques Fieschi, Yves Stavrides
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Curiosa Films, Umedia, Gaumont, Pictanovo, France 3 Cinéma, Gabriel
Genre: Drama, History
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 10, 2022, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $124.6K
Runtime: 2h 29m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings