Madame Bovary
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Classic tale about unhappy wife has tragic themes.

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Madame Bovary
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What's the Story?
MADAME BOVARY (Mia Wasikowska) marries a country doctor and quickly discovers that life in the country doesn't really satisfy her. She yearns for culture, fine dresses, and a luxurious home -- as well as for passion in her marriage, none of which her stoic husband can provide. To fill this emotional gap, she pursues a series of affairs with men who eventually leave her disappointed and fills her home with expensive furnishings purchased on credit. Eventually, she finds herself rejected by her lovers, over her head in debt, and falling into deep despair.
Is It Any Good?
The film's emotional encounters are built up better than the financial subplot, which leaves Emma and her husband neck-deep in debt. While this is the part of the story that leads to Emma's tragic end, the details and fiscal entanglements feel secondary to her romantic life, diluting their potency. Even at two hours, the film feels like things had to be cut out of the original story, with parts of the plot seemingly arising out of nowhere. That's the main reason Madame Bovary doesn't work very well: It simultaneously has too much (of Emma's caddish lovers) and not enough (of the usurious merchant who drives her into debt).
Emma Bovary begins married life full of enthusiasm and optimism, but she quickly realizes she's signed on for a life that isn't what she was expecting. We can see where this is leading -- a string of passionate extramarital encounters -- long before she realizes it herself; her excitement at finally finding romance is infectious and deeply felt ... as is her crushing despair when her lovers abandon her. In this period film set in a 19th-century French village, it's clear that, as a married woman, Emma has few options.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Emma is dissatisfied. How does she try to pursue happiness? Is her situation relatable today?
What do you think Emma might want if she was a contemporary character? What influences what we want in terms of products/things?
How is sex portrayed in the movie? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
If you've read the original novel, how does this version compare to it? To other film adaptations?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 12, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: August 4, 2015
- Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Paul Giamatti, Rhys Ifans, Ezra Miller
- Director: Sophie Barthes
- Inclusion Information: Non-Binary actors, Queer actors
- Studio: Millennium Entertainment
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Book Characters
- Run time: 118 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some sexuality/nudity
- Last updated: February 14, 2023
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