In Claudel’s story of estrangement from society, Juliette (Scott Thomas) has served a term in prison, we can guess this much from her institutionalised appearance in the opening sequences. Her younger sister Lea, (Zylberstein), offers her refuge as she makes her first steps in the outside world, yet they have not seen each other for nearly 15 years and mistrust and obligation on the one hand and self-loathing and guilt on the other need to be addressed before connections between them can be rebuilt.

What is remarkable about this film is how writer/director Claudel in his first feature coaxed such powerful performances from the Scott Thomas and Zylberstein. Primarily known as a novelist, with some screenwriting experience, Claudel delivers not only a mature and subtle screenplay but also cinematic instincts and directorial ability that many contemporaries must envy. He managed to enable Scott Thomas to act with a sincerity and passion (albeit low key) that rarely manifest in her English language films, and many critics see this as her best screen performance to date.

While some are perplexed by Claudel’s decision to reveal the full story at the end of the film, others are captured by the impact of the intricately structured screenplay and the sublime acting.

“A superb actress giving a great performance the game Scott Thomas plays is an intricate one – keeping us connected to this cold, withholding woman during the course of her slow thaw. Better than connected, she keeps us enthralled.” Joe Morgenstein, Wall Street Journal.

“Rarely do head and heart coalesce to such sublime effect in film as in Ive Loved You for So Long, the debut feature by Philippe Claudel, who directs like a veteran.” Maggie Lee, Hollywood Reporter.

“Scott Thomas’s performance, easily the best of her career, is the centre of a deeply involving, beautifully acted and expertly constructed human drama by and for grown-ups.” Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.