France/Belgium | Xavier Giannoli | 2022 | 149 min

A richly detailed, visually gorgeous adaptation of the eponymous Balzac novel, Lost Illusions is set in the 1820s and revolves around 20-year-old poet Lucien de Rubempré, who travels from his provincial home to Paris after a scandalous affair with a local society lady. He is sensitive, idealistic, and determined to force the literary world to notice him. Contrary to his high expectations, he finds he has to make ends meet by writing shallow, catty theatre reviews and ends up trapped in the world of low-brow journalism. Under the influence of his cynical boss, Lucien soon succumbs to bribery and cronyism, achieving wealth and standing at the cost of his integrity and even some friendships. In a last attempt to free himself from the all-consuming corruption, he risks everything to buy a title of nobility. But will the gamble work?

“A timely picture of literary ambition and media corruption … Lost Illusions is sensational.” A.O. Scott, New York Times