Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Parents need to know that Portrait of a Lady on Fire is an outstanding French drama -- with English subtitles -- set in the late 18th century about two women who fall in love and begin an affair. The movie contains some sex scenes, with nudity, between the two leads -- Marianne (Noémie Merlant) and Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) -- including naked breasts and pubic hair. During one sexual encounter, Héloïse pushes her fingers in and out of Marianne's armpit in a suggestive manner. Though sexual, it's also a means to taking an unspecified hallucinogenic drug that "slows down time." A character tries to deliberately miscarry by overexercising and drinking a homemade herbal tea before visiting a woman who gives her an abortion. Héloïse is being forced to get married against her will. There is reference to what may or may not have been a suicide. There is some drinking of wine -- although never to excess -- and Marianne smokes a pipe, which she shares with Héloïse. Both Marianne and Héloïse are positive role models and their relationship brings the best out of them. Positive themes of friendship, communication, love, and the female gaze are explored throughout. The movie also goes by its French title, Portrait de la jeune fille en feu.