French-Romanian actress Anamaria Vartolomei seems to be the new ingenue darling of the French historical film industry. She grew up in France, but was born in Romania, and I think it’s her Romanian looks that’s part of her appeal. She’ll be acting in the upcoming TV series Merteuil, a prequel to Dangerous Liaisons, as well as the films De Gaulle (a two-part biopic of the French general and statesman) and Miles & Juliette, about Miles Davis’s 1949 trip to Paris where he met singer-actress Juliette Gréco (played by Vartolomei). So, let’s take a look back at what got her to be such an It Girl!
Margaux in Eternity (2016)
A film that follows two generations over a century.
Joséphine in The Sower (2017)
“Set in 1851, The Sower takes place in a village where the women have been left on their own after all the men were rounded up in order to prevent an uprising” per Wikipedia.
Louise Elisabeth in The Royal Exchange (2017)
Set in 1721-25, it tells the real story of Mariana Victoria of Spain, who was engaged to French King Louis XV; and Louise Elisabeth d’Orléans, daughter of the French regent who was married to Spanish King Louis I. Unfortunately I didn’t love the character of Louise Elisabeth, who just seemed petulant for no reason instead of mentally ill as she probably really was. I’m not sure if that’s a script problem or a performance problem?
Albane Des-deux-Ponts in How to Be a Good Wife (2020)
A woman runs a “housekeeping” school but things get complicated when her husband dies.
Anne Duchesne in Happening (2021)
A university student is traumatized by the process of having an abortion in France in 1963, before the procedure was legalized.
Haydée in The Count of Monte-Cristo (2024)
She plays the Greek former slave, now ward of the count, in this adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas revenge story set in the 1830s.
Isabelle de Merteuil in Merteuil (coming soon)
A TV series that will chart the origins of the Marquise de Merteuil (Vartolomei).
Which is your favorite of Anamaria Vartolomei’s performances? And which ones are you most looking forward to?
Wasn’t there already a series that traced the origins of the Marquise de Merteuil on Starz that got canceled even though it had been renewed for a second season.
Yup! Dangerous Liaisons, TV edition: https://frockflicks.com/starz-dangerous-liaisons-2022-episodes-1-3/
I did like her performance in “L’échange des princesses”. Actualy it was the better movie then the “Comte de Monte-Christo” which didn’t added better aspects to the original story. She played again very strong – even if her role was very much Not-Dumas-like as were many aspects of the movie (especially because I do like the smugglers for example and the different background of the comte in Italy).
All costumes in “Merteuil” are looking very questionable. I have the impression, that they didn’t had a real idea, what is a shame after “Mademoiselle de Joncquieres”. Even with some faults they tried for a clear picture in costumes and places.
… is it just me or does this young lady have Resting Bond Girl Face? (I took one look at her picture at the very top of this article and thought “Good evening, Mr Bond”).
Admittedly I’ve been on a serious 007 kick for the past few weeks (Books and films), so there might be some confirmation bias in there.
Eternity has gorgeous costumes and OTT french actresses Audrey Tautou, Mélanie Laurent (before WW1 part) , Berenice Bejo (20’s). But the movie is too long plus off-voice and piano. Mute. Then enjoy the pictures.