Martin, an ex-Parisian well-heeled hipster passionate about Gustave Flaubert who settled into a Norman village as a baker, sees an English couple moving into a small farm nearby. Not only are the names of the new arrivals Gemma and Charles Bovery, but their behavior also seems to be inspired by Flaubert's heroes.
As pure entertainment it certainly does the job, although much of the text's existential weight is lost in the process.
– Jordan Mintzer,
Hollywood Reporter,
5 Sep 2014
rotten:
A tad too slapstick and not nearly modern enough in its social sensibilities to offer a truly updated version of Madame Bovary, Gemma Bovery still has its charms ...
– Linda Barnard,
Toronto Star,
4 Dec 2014
fresh:
A transmogrified Flaubert, recast, upturned and rich with observational and satirical contemporary details.
– Nathalie Atkinson,
Globe and Mail,
5 Dec 2014
rotten:
This is the first Fontaine movie I've seen that qualifies as lightweight.