The 2018 French period drama Lady J, based on a story in Denis Diderot's 1796 novel Jacques the Fatalist, has been praised by fans on Netflix as a must-watch for Jane Austen-style romance lovers.
The film follows Madame de La Pommeraye, a young widow who has accepted that she has never truly been in love. When a self-proclaimed libertine, the Marquis des Arcis, courts her for two years, she begins to believe love is possible.
Plot and fan reactions
Netflix teases: "When their affair goes sideways, she's forced to hatch a scandalous plot involving another noble's illegitimate daughter that takes everyone by surprise."
IMDb reviewers have shared their thoughts. One wrote: "If you want to unwind, I recommend this visually stunning, full of clever intrigues movie." Another commented: "Lady J was such a great surprise for me to see. I was not expecting to like this movie and I had not heard of it before streaming it on Netflix, but I loved it. This movie was filled with beautiful, over-the-top, ornate sets and costume design, with intricacies that made almost every scene fit to be painted."
Director's inspiration
Director Emmanuel Mouret told Eye For Film about adapting the book: "What was very exciting in this adaptation was that it seemed very modern to me. Actually, it's the definition of all the great classics - something stays classic when it can be modern as well. And apart from Les Liaisons Dangereuses, there are very few films that are interested in this period of the [1770s]. There are many films on the Revolution but very few on the years before."
Critical and commercial success
One fan called it a "must-watch", adding: "So many lines of this script hit me... This film is not only wonderfully written, but the acting is exquisite. The actors do a really nice job of using their expression to relay subtext which makes the movie a more full experience." Another viewer noted themes of "court intrigue, revenge, and moral turpitude", comparing it to classics like Great Expectations and Pride and Prejudice.
Lady J holds an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was a box office success upon release. It is now streaming on Netflix.
