EPISODE · Aug 21, 2025 · 22 MIN
Ep 251: Reviewing “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) Romance in the Age of Revolution
from Midday Movies · host Laura Fones and Stephen Frothingham
In this episode of Midday Movies, hosts Laura and Stephen discuss the 2019 French romantic drama “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” directed by Céline Sciamma. They highlight the film's historical accuracy, its exploration of 18th-century life, and the profound romantic connection between the characters Marianne and Heloise. The discussion also touches on the movie's mythological references to Orpheus and Eurydice and its strong emotional impact. The hosts delve into themes of love, loss, and the roles of women, making it clear why this film is hailed as one of the greatest romances of the 21st century.00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast00:07 Overview of 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire'01:01 Hosts' Personal Reactions02:03 Plot and Characters Breakdown08:14 Themes and Symbolism09:19 Romantic Development and Key Scenes11:47 The Enchanting Isolation of the Castle12:42 The Orpheus and Eurydice Painting13:22 Music as a Connecting Point17:15 The Role of Sophie19:18 The Unstructured Hangs19:56 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsAnd look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Released this month alongside the FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025). Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective or Facehuggers and Friends @facehuggersandfriendspod for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook LinktreeCheck out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
What this episode covers
In this episode of Midday Movies, hosts Laura and Stephen discuss the 2019 French romantic drama “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” directed by Céline Sciamma. They highlight the film's historical accuracy, its exploration of 18th-century life, and the profound romantic connection between the characters Marianne and Heloise. The discussion also touches on the movie's mythological references to Orpheus and Eurydice and its strong emotional impact. The hosts delve into themes of love, loss, and the roles of women, making it clear why this film is hailed as one of the greatest romances of the 21st century.00:00 Introduction to Midday Movies Podcast00:07 Overview of 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire'01:01 Hosts' Personal Reactions02:03 Plot and Characters Breakdown08:14 Themes and Symbolism09:19 Romantic Development and Key Scenes11:47 The Enchanting Isolation of the Castle12:42 The Orpheus and Eurydice Painting13:22 Music as a Connecting Point17:15 The Role of Sophie19:18 The Unstructured Hangs19:56 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsAnd look forward to our Alien-themed RPG “Facehuggers and Friends,” featuring members of the Umbrella Podcast Collective (https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/umbrella) as players. Released this month alongside the FX’s “Alien: Earth” series (2025). Follow the Umbrella Podcast Collective on IG at @umbrellapodcastcollective or Facehuggers and Friends @facehuggersandfriendspod for updates on “Facehuggers and Friends: An Alien RPG.”We want to know what you think about our podcast! Let us know in this brief survey here.Listen to us on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming shows and announcements! Instagram Facebook LinktreeCheck out our new merch shop here for tees, totes, stickers and more!
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Ep 251: Reviewing “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019) Romance in the Age of Revolution
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