The Story of Adele H. (1975)

 Francois Truffaut's "The Story of Adele H."

Had I not known that Francois Truffaut's 1975 film "The Story of Adele H." were based on a factual biographical account, I would have never conceived it to be so. The story of the film is a total whirlwind of single-minded insanity. And yet, the seeming madness of the central character is viewed through a romantic lens, making her journey and her state of mind almost noble. 

It centers on Adele Hugo, the second daughter of Victor Hugo, and the very real account of her pursuit of Lieutenant Albert Pinson - a British officer stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the American Civil War. She is rejected by the Lieutenant every step of the way. However, she endlessly pursues him and even sabotages his military standing and potential engagements. By the end of the film, she has lost sanity and must be taken back to France and her father.

I found "The Story of Adele H." to be a very strange film. There is a certain respectability Truffaut shows his spiraling protagonist. This juxtaposition between tonal respect and her very manic actions create a weird, almost intoxicating fascination. It almost seems as though Truffaut is as in love with her and she is in love with her disinterested Lieutenant. 

I think this effect worked on me. I feel as though if Miss Adele would have ultimately achieved her end goal, the film would have been a less satisfying experience. Her determined perseverance is spiritual in a way, which allowed me to feel completely on board with her unbroken resolve. In the end, what she's chasing is completely false and unworthy of her affections, but her passion is so infectious, one can't help but loving the poor girl.