La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Irène Jacob, Wladyslaw Kowalski, Aleksander Bardini, Guillaume De Tonquedec, Sandrine Dumas ... see more see more... , Claude Duneton , Philippe Volter , Halina Gryglaszewska , Jerzy Gudejko , Kalina Jedrusik , Louis Ducreux , Philippe Campos , Lorraine Evanoff , Alain Frerot , Gilles Gaston-Dreyfus , Youssef Hamid , Wanda Kruszewska , Bernadetta Kus , Chantal Neuwirth , Jacques Potin , Nausicaa Rampony , Boguslawa Schubert , Jan Sterninski , Dominika Szady , Jacek Wojcicki , Thierry de Carbonniere

The Double Life of Véronique is the story of two young women who are -- in some mysterious and irresolvable way -- the same woman leading two different yet interconnected lives. Those familiar with Po... read more read more...lish director Krzysztof Kieslowski's later "Three Colors" trilogy of Blue, White, and Red will recognize his fascination with accidental happenings and chance encounters, as well as Irène Jacob (from Red) whose performance as both Veronika and Veronique won the 1991 Cannes Film Festival award for best actress. Veronika and Véronique are born on the same day in 1966, one in Poland, the other in France. They grow up separately, unaware of each other's existence, but with the vague and rarely expressed feeling that they are "not alone." The story begins in Poland, where Veronika (like Véronique) is a talented vocalist and music student who wins a prestigious singing competition and is given the chance to perform with a local symphony. On the night of the concert, while singing a duet onstage, Veronika loses consciousness and dies. Véronique is emotionally wounded by the loss of her double and decides to end her singing career. The film charts the effect of Veronika's death on Véronique and on her dispassionate and unsatisfying relationships with men, especially her father. She is led to puppeteer and children's book author Alexandre Fabbri (Philippe Volter), whose puppet shows and stories are dramatic variants on her own mysterious problem. While looking through photographs of Véronique's trip to Poland, Fabbri discovers a picture of Veronika walking through a student demonstration in Kracow. He shows the picture to Véronique, who intuits the significance of Veronika's perfect likeness to herself. ~ Anthony Reed, Rovi

Flixster Users

92% liked it

18,892 ratings

Critics

85% liked it

26 critics

R, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Krzysztof Kieslowski

Release Date: May 15, 1991

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: November 21, 2006

Stats: 1,065 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

The Double Life of Veronique La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) The Double Life Of Veronique Irène Jacob
Upload a Photo | View All La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,065)

  • brooklynspo
    September 9, 2007
    brooklynspo
    almost distractingly beautiful film. hmmm, not my fave Kieslowski, a bit vague I thought
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    December 26, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    A strange but interesting film which unfortunately did nothing for me. It was too confusing trying to work out what was happening and when and what exactly Jacob's facial expressions were meant to represent. Left me with too many questions however the message that life is fragile... read more and you should cherish every moment is very heart warming.
  • stevenecarrier
    August 14, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    Krzysztof Kieslowski's "The Double Life of Veronique" is a sensitive and awe inspiring experience. Kieslowski is exploring the basic idea of the Counterpart Theory in Metaphysics. If you can grasp that theory and understand the long standing 'double' troupes (they range from Dost... read moreoyevsky's famous story 'The Double' to as recently as "Another Earth") you will begin to unlock the film. On the surface Irene Jacob is terrific and the cinematography is incredible (all those colors!). "The Double Life of Veronique" is a wonderful and complex experience that is immensely rewarding to committed viewers but beware that the film will be extremely confounding if merely 'watched.'

    Also, many people think the film is not 'meant to be figured out.' I wholeheartedly disagree. I think the film fits it's pieces together quite well- but again, it goes back to Counterpart Theory. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpart_theory
  • axadntpron
    July 4, 2011
    axadntpron
    A visually radiant film about the universal interconnectedness of human beings. While some may be distraught by how many loose ends that Kieslowski leaves in the film, his penchant for rich storytelling will surely satisfy those viewers who choose not to ponder the metaphysical q... read moreuestions that this film brings up. It is contemplative, incredibly well acted, and just simply a gorgeous film to watch.
  • lewiskendell
    March 18, 2011
    lewiskendell
    Very interesting movie. I'll need to see it again before I can give it a proper review.
  • blacksheepboy
    November 16, 2009
    blacksheepboy
    I can see this is another of Kieslowski's delicate, humanistic stories, and while it isn't bad and has an interesting idea, I really cannot help asking myself "what is the point?"
  • kenstachnik
    September 4, 2008
    kenstachnik
    This feels very much like a test run for the three colors trilogy, especially Blue. You could call this entry
    Trois Couleurs: Vert (Green)
  • wbgoose13
    July 12, 2007
    wbgoose13
    I may not quite get it, but I know that I like it.
  • mvieaddict
    February 4, 2012
    mvieaddict
    I wanted to see this film for a long time, since it was a film that was nominated and won so many awards back in 1991/1992 and of course for director Krzysztof Kiewloski. The Double Life of Véronique might be his best work, but I could not be sure, since I need to watch his Three... read more Colors trilogy. This was not a film that one can understand so easily and it also did not fit into any genre, but it was more a film to be experience as a beautiful work of art.The music score was just amazing.The scenes were not that interesting if it was not for the power of the music and for Kieslowski using beautiful colors to create a magnificent atmosphere which helped so much in creating the scenes.The music and Irène Jacob performance were the most outstanding pieces of the film. Unfortunately Kieslowski passed away in 1996 so we could not get more of such beautiful art works as this one and his Color trilogy.
  • Dracula787
    August 10, 2009
    Dracula787
    This is not going to be an easy review to write, and it has taken me a while to gather my thoughts. This is a very unconventional movie and most of what happens in it happens well below the surface. It?s also nearly impossible to analyze without spoiling the whole thing. I tri... read moreed looking up Roger Ebert?s take on it, but even he seemed at a bit of a loss of words as to how to describe it to someone who hasn?t seen it.

    The film was directed by Krzysztof Kie?lowski, a filmmaker I got off on the wrong foot with. I found him film ?Blue? to be pretentious and boring, and I didn?t want to bite off his ten part series ?The Decalogue? before I knew I could chew it. This movie on the other hand was captivating from the moment it started until the moment it ended. It?s the sort of thing that makes me want to give Blue another shot.

    The burden of carrying this entire film rests on the shoulders of the French actress Irène Jacob who plays both the Polish singer Weronika and the French singer Véronique. Neither woman knows the other one but they both share an indefinable bond. But the film?s central mystery is not how these women are connected, but what lays in their head. The Veronicas emote a certain state of mind that just makes forces you to examine them, you NEED to know what makes them tick. Jabob clearly deserved the award she won at the Cannes film festival.

    What?s more it is a great technical achievement, S?awomir Idziak?s cinematography is among the most beautiful I?ve ever seen. The film looks mostly natural, but it is also drenched in rich beautiful colors. Even the indoor shots look like they were filmed at magic hour.

    I cannot articulate the feelings this movie evokes, it just needs to be experienced. This is what ?art? movies are supposed to be.

View All La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Anthony Lane
April 3, 2006
Anthony Lane, New Yorker

We see through a glass darkly, and often confusingly, but at least we see.

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

Don't even attempt to resolve that paradox, and The Double Life of Veronique will work on its own poetic terms. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

A mesmerizing poetic work composed in an eerie minor key. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

It operates purely on visual juxtapositions, emotion and the presence of lead actress Irene Jacob. In its own terms, it's subtly precious. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The parts do not quite fit, and anyway this is not a puzzle to be assembled. It is a romance about those moments we all sometimes have when we think we see ourselves at a distance. Full Review

Peter Canavese
February 21, 2011
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews

A film that washes over the viewer and invites meditative contemplation about our awareness while swimming the big river of consciousness. [Blu-ray] Full Review

Cole Smithey
October 17, 2007
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Haunting.

Dan Jardine
January 27, 2007
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide

Erotic and mystical, a wondrous search for transcendence. Full Review

Thomas Delapa
December 4, 2006
Thomas Delapa, Boulder Weekly

If Kieslowski's overarching metaphors about Weronika/Veronique seem strained, Jacob's sensuous and delicately nuanced performance will double your pleasure. Full Review

Christopher Null
November 12, 2006
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

a film all about subjectivity Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Three Colors: Red (Trois couleurs: Rouge)
    Three Colors: Red (Trois couleurs: Rouge) (85%)
  • Fuck (F*ck)
    Fuck (F*ck) (44%)
  • My Life to Live (It's My Life) (Vivre sa vie: Film en douze tableaux)
    My Life to Live (It's My Life) (Vivre sa vie:... (29%)
  • Amélie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain)
    Amélie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) (55%)

More Movies like La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique)

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

La Double Vie de ... : Watch Free on TV

La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique). Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add La Double Vie de Véronique (The Double Life of Veronique) to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?