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A Very Long Engagement (2004) movie poster

Plot Summary

A Very Long Engagement (2004) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2004 · 133 min · French
Directed by
Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Starring
Jodie Foster, Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel
Budget
$56.6M

During World War I, Mathilde refuses to believe her fiancé, Jean, is dead. Driven by unwavering hope, she begins a relentless search for him, traveling across war-torn France. Her quest leads her to a disillusioned private investigator who helps her uncover a disturbing truth about the French military's handling of soldiers reported missing. Mathilde’s journey exposes a system rife with moral ambiguity and the devastating impact of war on individual lives.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like A Very Long Engagement
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch A Very Long Engagement (2004)

Where can you watch A Very Long Engagement? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in A Very Long Engagement: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of A Very Long Engagement (2004) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

As World War I comes to a close, a young French woman named Mathilde finds herself embarking on a courageous quest. She learns that her fiancé, Manech, is among five wounded soldiers who have been court-martialed and left stranded in the perilous no-man's land between the French and German fronts—an area synonymous with certain death.

Reluctant to give in to despair over the potential loss of her beloved Manech, Mathilde sets off on an extraordinary journey to uncover his fate. Throughout her pursuit, she encounters various heartbreaking versions of what Manech may have experienced in those final days and hours, yet she remains undeterred. Mathilde firmly believes that if Manech were truly dead, she would instinctively feel it.

With an unwavering faith bolstered by hope and an unyieldingly cheerful spirit, she diligently follows the clues that may lead to the truth. Along the way, she continuously persuades those who might aid her while disregarding the skeptics. As she delves deeper into the reality surrounding the five unfortunate soldiers and their cruel sentence, she becomes increasingly entangled in the grim realities of war and the profound scars it leaves on the lives of those impacted.

Ultimately, Mathilde's journey is not just for love, but also a confrontation with the harrowing consequences of conflict and a testament to the human spirit's resilience.

Last updated: November 07, 2024 at 23:53

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Plot questions answered

A Very Long Engagement Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about A Very Long Engagement (2004): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Mathilde refuse to believe Manech is dead?

Mathilde believes she would instinctively feel it if Manech were truly dead. This supernatural conviction, combined with her unwavering hope and cheerful spirit, drives her to reject the assumption that he is gone and instead pursue an exhaustive search for him across war-torn France.

Foreshadowing: The film's opening establishes Mathilde's firm belief that love creates a spiritual connection that transcends death.

  • mathilde
  • manech
  • love
  • belief
  • death
  • intuition
Q2

What happened to the five soldiers left in no-man's land?

The five wounded soldiers were court-martialed for self-mutilation to escape front-line duty, then abandoned in no-man's land between French and German trenches, an area where survival was virtually impossible. They were left to die as punishment for their perceived cowardice.

  • court-martial
  • soldiers
  • no-mans-land
  • punishment
  • ww1
Q3

What does Mathilde discover about Manech's fate?

Mathilde discovers that Manech was among the five soldiers abandoned in no-man's land. Through her investigation, she uncovers the disturbing truth about the French military's cover-up and the soldiers' grim fate, ultimately finding closure though it brings profound loss.

Foreshadowing: As Mathilde follows the clues, each account she gathers progressively reveals the horrifying reality of what happened to the soldiers.

  • manech
  • fate
  • truth
  • military
  • cover-up
Q5

What does the film reveal about the French military's handling of missing soldiers?

The film exposes a corrupt system where soldiers who self-mutilated to avoid combat were court-martialed and abandoned in no-man's land rather than properly tried or treated. The military concealed this brutal practice, showing the moral ambiguity and devastating impact of war on individual lives.

  • military
  • cover-up
  • corruption
  • missing soldiers
  • war crimes
Q6

What is the meaning of the film's bittersweet ending?

Mathilde ultimately accepts Manech's fate and finds closure, though she experiences profound grief. Her journey transforms from a personal search for her lover into a broader acknowledgment of the sacrifices and scars left by war. She carries the memory of Manech and the other soldiers forward, symbolizing resilience and love's enduring power despite tragedy.

  • ending
  • closure
  • acceptance
  • resilience
  • remembrance
Q7

Why were the soldiers court-martialed in the first place?

The five soldiers were court-martialed for self-mutilation, deliberately injuring themselves to be removed from front-line combat. This was considered a serious military offense tantamount to desertion, punishable by death or abandonment, which is what happened to them.

  • self-mutilation
  • desertion
  • punishment
  • military law
Q8

What does the title "A Very Long Engagement" refer to?

The title refers to Mathilde's extraordinarily prolonged commitment to finding her missing fiancé. Even though engagement typically signifies a brief period before marriage, Mathilde's dedication extends across years and across war-torn France, making her engagement to Manech figuratively "very long" due to his absence and her relentless search.

  • title
  • engagement
  • commitment
  • search
  • time
Q9

How does Mathilde convince people to help her despite skepticism?

Mathilde uses her unyieldingly cheerful spirit and persuasive determination to overcome doubters. She continuously persuades those who might aid her while disregarding skeptics who believe her search is futile, showing remarkable resilience in the face of negativity.

  • mathilde
  • persuasion
  • hope
  • doubt
  • skeptics

Movie threads

More Movies Like A Very Long Engagement, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes A Very Long Engagement tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about relentless searches for loved ones like A Very Long Engagement

Driven by hope, protagonists unravel mysteries to reclaim a cherished connection. If you liked Mathilde's determined quest in A Very Long Engagement, you'll appreciate these movies. This collection features similar stories where a character's unwavering love fuels an investigative journey against the odds, perfect for viewers seeking hopeful, romantic mysteries with emotional depth.

  • determined
  • hopeful
  • romantic
  • investigative
  • melancholic
  • sombre
  • Tone: hopeful, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist who refuses to accept the loss of a loved one, embarking on a personal investigation. The plot unfolds through a steady progression of clues and encounters, often challenging official narratives. The emotional core is the tension between the darkness of the circumstances and the luminous power of hope and devotion.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a central, love-driven investigation. They balance a melancholic or somber setting with a resilient, hopeful tone, creating a specific emotional blend of determination in the face of adversity. The pacing is typically steady, mirroring the protagonist's methodical pursuit.

Movies about the personal impact of war like A Very Long Engagement

Intimate stories of individuals navigating the vast, impersonal machinery of war. For fans of A Very Long Engagement's focus on war's aftermath, this list features films that similarly explore the intimate, human stories within large historical conflicts. Discover movies that prioritize personal quests, moral ambiguity, and emotional resilience in the shadow of war, offering a poignant look at history's individual toll.

  • sombre
  • reflective
  • historical
  • determined
  • melancholic
  • resilient
  • Tone: sombre, reflective, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives use a historical setting as a backdrop for a character-driven journey. The protagonist, an ordinary person, is forced to confront the bureaucratic, moral, and emotional complexities of a large-scale conflict. The plot often involves uncovering a hidden truth, challenging authority, and finding a way to persevere, resulting in a bittersweet understanding of history's scars.

Why they belong together: These films share a common DNA: they use a specific historical period not just for setting, but to explore themes of loss, injustice, and personal endurance. The vibe is a mix of somber reflection and determined inquiry, with a steady pace that allows for emotional depth and a focus on character over spectacle.

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Every angle

A Very Long Engagement (2004) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about A Very Long Engagement in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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