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Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, Stuart Townsend, Thomas Kretschmann, Steven Berkoff ... see more see more... , David La Haye , Gabriel Hogan , Karine Vanasse , John Jorgenson , Peter Cockett , Daniel Gillies , Allen Altman

Australian filmmaker John Duigan directs the romantic war drama Head in the Clouds. Charlize Theron stars as ambitious photographer Gilda Bessé, who lives in France during the 1930s. She shares her st... read more read more...ylish luxury apartment in Paris with Cambridge student Guy (Stuart Townsend) from Ireland and refugee Mia (Penélope Cruz) from Spain. When WWII starts, the three close friends are torn apart by different priorities. Thomas Kretschmann also stars as Major Thomas Bietrich. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Flixster Users

61% liked it

8,156 ratings

Critics

15% liked it

88 critics

R, 2 hr. 13 min.

Directed by: John Duigan

Release Date: September 17, 2004

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DVD Release Date: January 25, 2005

Stats: 351 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (351)

  • ScoopOnline
    December 18, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    In a city of glamour at a time of decadence they met. An aristocrat, a soldier of conscience, and an entertainer. Together they shared a deep passion.
  • puffchunk
    June 21, 2008
    puffchunk
    Okay for a bit. After a while I fast forwarded to the end.
  • gator681
    October 18, 2005
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"Head in the Clouds" starts out at Cambridge University in 1933. Guy(Stuart Townsend) is a scholarship student from Ireland. A very wet and beautiful Gilda(Charlize Theron) stumbles into his room one rainy night. After Guy helps her out of her dress, they ... read morespend a platonic night together. A beautiful friendship is born which evolves into an on-again/off-again relationship. Guy eventually moves in with Gilda in Paris to become her assistant while she pursues a career in photography. Completing the triangle is Mia(Penelope Cruz) who is a Spanish refugee/ex-stripper with a limp who was rescued by Gilda and now has dreams of becoming a nurse.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]The first half of "Head in the Clouds" is not bad but when the movie turns serious in the second half, it gets extremely ponderous and credibility goes out the window. I do suppose the writer/director wanted to make a statement but fails miserably. But it is certainly well-photographed.(A tip of the hat to the cinematographer.) And Charlize Theron, conveying the perfect combination of sexiness and vulnerability, is simply too good for low-level soap opera material like this. [/font]
  • Fascade518
    January 31, 2007
    Fascade518
    I now know what the term "group therapy" means... this flick is strictly for grown folks....Historic but intriguing.
  • InaHH
    February 23, 2006
    InaHH
    This is so bad and boring. horrible film.
  • Greenfeary2010
    September 4, 2010
    Greenfeary2010
    Head in the Clouds is a beautiful and well played out film about love and deception during World War Two. It is, to say the very least, unforgettable.
  • WrellikW
    July 9, 2008
    WrellikW
    A very good movie. About a love triangle that spans pre-WWII, through, to the end of the war. All aspects were quality, acting, scenery, sets, story and quality film. This film was done well. I highly recommend it.
  • dixitsanjeev
    March 14, 2008
    dixitsanjeev
    Loved this movie, Charlize was at her best in the movie. This really made me curious to watch a few more movies of hers.
  • bSpiker
    February 9, 2008
    bSpiker
    This is one of those movies I would've never watched it if hadn't been for my girlfriend finding interest in watching it. It's a refreshing love story between three people, and while Townsend and Cruz are ready to fight for their countries in the war, Theron is stuck being a soc... read moreialite. Though Theron ultimately realizes that she was wrong, and decides that she has a part in this war as well. The war sub-plot is a nice break from the sometime's slow scenes and gives the film an epic feel. I recommend this to anyone that loves that 1930s-1940s era and the lifestyle.
  • AphraelChilde
    July 9, 2007
    AphraelChilde
    Interesting story line. Another late-night movie channel find that managed to hold my interest through the whole thing.

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Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar
November 5, 2004
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

The story becomes a long slog because Duigan doesn't define his characters and because he's determined to touch too many of the familiar '30s European bases. Full Review

Peter Howell
October 22, 2004
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

The passion barely simmers, let alone rages, which may vex some viewers and will certainly confound the tabloids. Full Review

Leah McLaren
October 22, 2004
Leah McLaren, Globe and Mail

Great, gooey, hot-fudge sundae of a love story. Full Review

Teresa Wiltz
October 22, 2004
Teresa Wiltz, Washington Post

There's plenty of eye candy -- gorgeous scenery, gorgeous costumes, gorgeous people -- to keep the viewer from minding (too much) the Olympic leaps of faith required to invest in the film's plot. Full Review

Desson Thomson
October 22, 2004
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

A snooze, despite all the sex and other gunplay. Full Review

Joe Baltake
October 15, 2004
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

It's wonderfully terrible. Full Review

Terry Lawson
October 15, 2004
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Soft-focus, softheaded mush. Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
October 14, 2004
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Unfortunately, the movie's unwieldy, episodic structure undercuts Theron's impressive performance. Full Review

Jeff Strickler
October 7, 2004
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

The love story rates a B, while the drama is a C at best. Granted, the adventure part perks up to an A-minus, but you have to wade through two-thirds of the movie to get there. Full Review

Steven Rea
October 1, 2004
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Catastrophically overdone.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Head in the Clouds Trivia

  • This actor, is in "league of extrodinary gentlemen", because he defeated the "Queen of the damned" with his "Head in the clouds"  Answer »
  • Which movie did not feature both Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron?  Answer »
  • trapped queen of the damned The league of extraordinary gentlemen About Adam Head in the clouds. who is in them all??????  Answer »
  • In which movie did Charlize Tharon and Stuart Townsend play in together?  Answer »
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