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The Letter

The Letter

Original Title: La Lettre

19991h 47m
Drama

Status

Released

Release

1999

Runtime

1h 47m

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Storyline

A well-bred, lovely, spiritual, sad young woman marries an attentive physician who loves her. She feels affection but no love. Soon after, without design, she falls in love with Pedro Abrunhosa, a poet and performance artist. He also loves her. She keeps her distance from him, confessing her love to a friend who is a nun and, later, to her husband. Hunger for her love and jealousy consume him; she attends him as he wastes away. With his death, she can marry and express her passion, but what she does and how she explains herself, particularly to her cloistered friend, is at the heart of the film. Glimpses of convent life and of Abrunhosa on stage give contrast and mute comment.

Score Distribution

Details

Status
Released
Runtime
1h 47m
Sep 22, 1999
Languages
FrenchPortuguese
Director
Manoel de Oliveira
Manoel de Oliveira
Production
Gemini Films
Gemini Films
Wanda Films
Wanda Films
Madragoa Filmes
Madragoa Filmes
Production Countries
FrancePortugalSpain

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