‘The woman of the century Simone’
Address Olivier Dahan
interactors Elsa Zylberstein, Rebecca Marder, Élodie Bouchez, Judith Chemla, Olivier Gourmet, Mathieu Spinosi, Philippe Lellouche, Bastien Bouillon, Lubna Azabal
Year 2022
premiere December 9, 2022
★★
The film centers on Simone Veil, a figure whose life sits at the crossroads of European history and the long arc of women’s rights in France. Olivier Dahan, renowned for his sweeping biographical portraits, approaches Veil with a measured, restrained lens that seeks to illuminate the choices, sacrifices, and resilience that marked her journey. The result is a portrait crafted to balance intimate, human moments with the broader political stakes that defined her public legacy.
Across the screen, Veil’s story unfolds through the voices of a survivor who endured Nazi camps, a devoted wife and mother, and a woman who steered through law and politics to shape national policy. She emerged as a trailblazer in European politics after years of public service, advocating for social justice and women’s health. The film threads these strands into a narrative that reveals the ties between personal experience and public action, showing how a single determined individual helped shift France’s abortion law and sparked conversations about abortion rights across Europe.
Yet the director’s method leans toward a documentary cadence, prioritizing a chronological sequence and emblematic exchanges over a fully immersive cinematic experience. Some viewers may find the approach more informative than immersive, presenting a series of defining moments that sketch Veil’s character and her impact rather than weaving them into a seamless dramatic arc. A few might crave a bolder, more cinematic interpretation that deepens emotional resonance beyond a mere recitation of milestones.
What stands out is the commitment to accuracy and specificity. The film preserves the urgency surrounding Veil’s early life, her legal acumen, and the relentless demands of public service. It foregrounds the personal costs of leadership, reminding audiences that policy victories rarely appear as isolated triumphs but emerge from persistent effort, negotiation, and sacrifice. The ensemble cast delivers solid performances, offering nuanced portrayals that avoid caricature while honoring the complexity of Veil’s experiences.
Overall, the film provides a clear, educational portrait that can engage viewers seeking a thoughtful recounting of a pivotal historical figure. It serves as a respectful summary of Veil’s contributions and the social climate she helped transform, making it a reference point for discussions about women in politics, reproductive rights, and European history. For those who value precise context and credible storytelling in biographical cinema, the film offers a reliable, restrained avenue to understand a landmark career and the era that shaped it. (Source: historical film analyses; see attribution in production notes.)