Marion Laine's debut film is a thoughtful adaptation of Gustave Flaubert's tale, with refined sentiment and austere beauty. 19th century’s rural French society’s and religion’s status quo imprisons two women. The haughty and self-absorbed widow Mathilde deprives herself of an emotionally rich life. Sandrine Bonnaire as her servant Felicité fully embodies a modest, devoted affection and love but also a strong independent soul that transforms the emotional and spiritual stagnation around her. She is truly a 'Holy Fool'. She can be seen as a 'Job's daughter' in her constant self-sacrifice.
