Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
Adèle's life is changed when she meets Emma, a young woman with blue hair, who will allow her to discover desire, to assert herself as a woman and as an adult. In front of others, Adele grows, seeks herself, loses herself, finds herself.
Details
Budget
$4,300,000
Rating
7/10 (4642 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Wild Bunch, SCOPE Pictures, Quat'sous Films, France 2 Cinéma, RTBF, Alcatraz Films, Vértigo Films
About Blue Is the Warmest Color
Set against the backdrop of Lille, France, "Blue Is the Warmest Color" follows Adèle's journey of self-discovery through a passionate, yet complex, lesbian relationship. The film explores themes of first love, sexual awakening, and social class as Adèle navigates her identity. Her encounter with Emma, a blue-haired art student, changes her perception of desire and ultimately shapes her adulthood.
The drama, adapted from a graphic novel, runs for three hours, allowing for an in-depth exploration of its characters' emotional states and the nuances of their connection. While it received high critical ratings, some viewers found its pacing slow and repetitive, mirroring the real-time ebb and flow of a long-term relationship. The narrative focuses intently on Adèle's perspective, drawing viewers into her internal world as she experiences both immense joy and profound isolation.
Why you might be searching for Blue Is the Warmest Color
People are searching for "Blue Is the Warmest Color" often due to its explicit content, particularly the extensive lesbian sex scenes, and its focus on a teenage girl's sexual awakening. Its controversial nature and artistic portrayal of a same-sex relationship contribute to its memorability and search interest.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer noted that despite the film's reputation for explicit scenes, it primarily focuses on Adèle's perspective, drawing the viewer deeply into her thoughts and making her romantic journey more impactful, even through its challenging moments.
Read the full reviewA critic felt the three-hour runtime was excessive and at times slow, but acknowledged that director Abdellatif Kechiche used this extended duration to carefully develop the characters of Adèle and Emma, as well as their surrounding families and friends.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream *Blue Is the Warmest Color* on Netflix. Alternatively, you can rent or buy it on Prime Video or Apple TV, or subscribe to AMC+ or Sundance Now to watch it. It is rated NC-17 for explicit sexual content.
No, *Blue Is the Warmest Color* is not based on a true story. The film's premise comes from the 2010 graphic novel by Jul Maroh, though some character details were changed for the movie.
Three years after their breakup, Adèle and Emma meet again. Adèle is still in love with Emma, but Emma has moved on and is in a committed relationship with Lise, though she admits to not feeling sexually fulfilled. Emma tells Adèle that while she no longer loves her, their relationship was special, and she will always have "infinite tenderness" for her. Adèle later attends Emma's art exhibition, where a nude portrait of Adèle from their time together is displayed. After a brief interaction, Adèle leaves, and while a friend tries to follow her, Adèle walks off alone into the distance.
*Blue Is the Warmest Color* received critical acclaim, with an 89% positive review rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 90 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim". Critics praised the film's powerful performances and emotional depth, with one calling it an "extraordinary, prolonged popping-candy explosion of pleasure, sadness, anger, lust and hope".