Every member of the cast is distinguished, with the director's portrayal of a sympathetic, almost Chaplin-esque everyman particularly effective.

Full of rich historical details that anchor the sense of agony and resentment, but the plot is driven by huge coincidences... It doesn't really matter in a film so big on circus-like theatrics and grand flourishes.

Dupontel's film version of the ambitious Victor Hugo-like tome accomplishes precisely what modern cinema seems to be lacking when old-timers complain that "they don't make 'em like they used to."

This unorthodox, intermittently astonishing French drama has been a multiple awards winner on the festival circuit.