Celine Sciamma's "A Portrait of a Lady on Fire"

In a quiet coastal town in France 1770, a wealthy matriarch hires a portraitist to capture her daughter's likeness to send for approval from a wealthy marriage prospect.  This would be done via on-line 21st C or by photographs 20th C.   In the 18th C painting was the premiere means for capturing images. The social norms were even more archaic and restrictive.  The film is a sensual & visual stunning depiction of forbidden love between two women, Heloise (Adele Haenel) and Marianne (Naemi Merlant).  Heloise is the young women whose mother wishes to marry into aristocracy and Marianne is hired to capture her image on canvas.  The prior artist was unsuccessful in his attempt as it was destroyed by Heloise.  Heloise's mother asks Marianne to feign companionship rather than have her daughter formally pose to which Heloise is vehemently opposed.  The ruse transforms into a subterfuge for the burning forbidden love that consumes both the subject & the artist.  These women are both exquisite to watch on screen.  Their passion ignites sparks and a multi-colored palette of pathos.  The most haunting imageries reference the unattainable love between Eurydice and Orpheus.  Dir./screenwriter Celine Sciamma (b France 1941) paints majestic vistas of cliffs overlooking the waves, stark candlelit interiors and sparking embers from an outdoor fire.  The fire was for a gathering of the town's women.  Heloise and Marianne eyes speak volumes across the fire and through their smoldering looks.  The film is sumptuous to behold at but unsatisfying in its stillness.   While there's plenty to visually admire in "A Portrait of Lady on Fire" it feels like watching paint dry on a canvas.