Simone: Woman of the Century (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Simone: Woman of the Century is a 2023 biographical drama directed by Olivier Dahan, starring Elsa Zylberstein as Simone Veil (1968-2006), Rebecca Marder and Olivier Gourmet. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and earned $19.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 20m (140 min)
- Director
- Olivier Dahan
- Original language
-
French - Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Simone: Woman of the Century About?
The premise of Simone: Woman of the Century without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This film chronicles the extraordinary life of Simone Veil, a pivotal figure of the 20th century. It follows her journey from her early years through a challenging political career, set against the backdrop of significant historical events. The story highlights her resilience and courage, showcasing how she broke barriers and championed humanism, leaving a lasting impact on society and inspiring countless individuals.
Simone: Woman of the Century Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- serial killer
- 1970s
- dating game show
- directed by star
- year 1978
- teenage runaway
- sexual predator
- title directed by female
- murder
- true crime
- co produced by director
- directorial debut
+38 more Show fewer
- produced by star
- based on real people
- 20th century
- criminal
- period drama
- period piece
- investigation
- case
- reference to farrah fawcett
- reference to warren beatty
- reference to sam shepard
- reference to immanuel kant
- reference to the juilliard school
- reference to chuck barris
- reference to perry como
- reference to gloria steinem
- year 1971
- sleeping on a bench
- reference to albert einstein
- year 1977
- reference to new york university
- hollywood california
- valentine's day
- los angeles california
- reference to roman polanski
- wyoming
- new york city
- reference to shakespeare's romeo and juliet
- reference to oliver twist
- los angeles times
- reference to sally field
- audition
- reference to edward albee
- year 1979
- reference to patti smith
- reference to linda manz
- laundromat
- reference to tony bennett
Simone: Woman of the Century Cast & Characters
Elsa Zylberstein leads the cast as Simone Veil (1968-2006), with Rebecca Marder as Simone Jacob (1942-1967) and Olivier Gourmet as Antoine Veil (1974-2006). Directed by Olivier Dahan; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Olivier Dahan
-
Elsa Zylberstein as Simone Veil (1968-2006) -
Rebecca Marder as Simone Jacob (1942-1967) -
Olivier Gourmet as Antoine Veil (1974-2006) -
Bastien Bouillon as Pierre Jampolsky
Also Starring in Simone: Woman of the Century
· 6 more- Lubna Azabal Hafsia Hamdad
- Élodie Bouchez Yvonne Jacob
- Judith Chemla Madeleine Jacob, dite Milou (1941-1952)
- François Rollin Directeur prison Fresnes
- Philippe Lellouche Serge Klarsfeld
- Mathieu Spinosi Antoine Veil (1946-1962)
More from Olivier Dahan
More films directed by Olivier Dahan, best-rated first: La Vie en Rose, Ghost River, A Folk Horror Tale and Grace of Monaco.
Simone: Woman of the Century Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Simone: Woman of the Century 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in rewatch factor (75) and weakest in art & craft (50).
Simone: Woman of the Century Echo Score Breakdown
Simone: Woman of the Century presents a commendable tribute to a historic figure, bolstered by strong performances and an inspiring thematic core. Critics acknowledge the film’s emotional resonance but note uneven narrative structure and occasional visual excess. The cinematography receives praise from audiences, yet the direction’s restless style hampers coherence. Consequently, the movie offers a meaningful experience that is somewhat marred by stylistic inconsistencies, landing it in the mixed-to-positive range.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 50
Regarding art and craft, the film’s visual ambition is evident through striking cinematography praised by audiences. However, several critics argue that the ever‑roaming camera and operatic flourishes create a skimming effect, detracting from narrative focus. The editing’s brisk, out‑of‑order pacing further contributes to a fragmented feel, resulting in a mixed appraisal of the movie’s technical execution.
- Character & Emotion 70
When evaluating character and emotion, performances emerge as the film’s strongest element. Critics highlight outstanding work by Elsa Zylberstein and Rebecca Marder, describing their portrayals as heartfelt and committed. While some reviewers note a lack of deeper humanisation of the protagonist, the overall acting quality delivers sufficient emotional resonance, leading to a largely positive assessment of the character work.
- Story & Flow 55
The story’s coherence and pacing draw mixed reactions. Positive remarks commend the film’s inspiring narrative and its ability to evoke memory, yet critics repeatedly point to a chaotic, out‑of‑order structure that hampers comprehension. The heavy‑handed treatment of Veil’s biography further diminishes narrative depth, positioning the storyline between engaging and uneven.
- Sensory Experience 60
Sensorily, the film balances moments of vivid sound‑design with occasional overuse of dramatic scoring. Reviewers appreciate the evocative auditory backdrop that underscores testimonies, yet note that music sometimes underscores scenes too heavily, reducing subtlety. Visual style remains compelling, but the overall sensory experience is tempered by these inconsistencies, yielding a moderately favorable impression.
- Rewatch Factor 75
The rewatch factor is bolstered by the film’s empowering message and its capacity to inspire reflection on historical injustice. Strong performances and poignant thematic content encourage return viewings, while structural irregularities may deter some audiences seeking narrative clarity. Overall, the movie offers lasting appeal sufficient for repeat engagement.
-
IMDb 6.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 69% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 69%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 79% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.8 /5
35687 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Simone: Woman of the Century Plot Summary
What happens in Simone: Woman of the Century from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1977, set against the vast landscapes of Wyoming, a chilling tale unfolds as the would-be serial killer Rodney Alcala begins to prey on unsuspecting victims. One particular evening, he photographs a woman against the expansive plains. After coaxing her to share her heart-wrenching story about a broken relationship, he brutally strangles her. To add to the horror, he surprisingly revives her, only to suffocate her once more—a chilling cycle of manipulation and murder.
Full summary
The whole story of Simone: Woman of the Century, scene by scene
Simone: Woman of the Century Box Office
Simone: Woman of the Century grossed $19.2 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$19.2M
- International
- $19.2M
Simone: Woman of the Century Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Simone: Woman of the Century.
How Well Do You Know Simone: Woman of the Century?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year does the movie begin?
Simone: Woman of the Century Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “Simone Veil - Le voyage du siècle” and “Simone Veil - Ein Leben für Europa”.
- Also known as
-
- Simone Veil - Le voyage du siècle
- Simone Veil - Ein Leben für Europa
- Journey of the Century
- 西蒙娜：世紀之聲
- Simone, la mujer del siglo
- 西蒙娜：世纪之旅
- Simone - A Viagem do Século
- Симона: Путешествие века
- Simone Veil - La donna del secolo
- Simone, el viatge del segle
Seen Simone: Woman of the Century?
Movies Like Simone: Woman of the Century
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Simone Barbès or Virtue, Woman of the Photographs and Seberg.
Simone: Woman of the Century FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Simone: Woman of the Century, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Simone: Woman of the Century?
Simone: Woman of the Century runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).
When was Simone: Woman of the Century released?
Simone: Woman of the Century was released on August 18, 2023.
Who directed Simone: Woman of the Century?
Simone: Woman of the Century was directed by Olivier Dahan.
More films by Olivier Dahan Who is in the cast of Simone: Woman of the Century?
Simone: Woman of the Century stars Elsa Zylberstein as Simone Veil (1968-2006), Rebecca Marder as Simone Jacob (1942-1967) and Olivier Gourmet as Antoine Veil (1974-2006), among 10 credited actors.
How much did Simone: Woman of the Century make at the box office?
Simone: Woman of the Century grossed $19.2 million worldwide.
How is Simone: Woman of the Century rated?
Simone: Woman of the Century has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 69% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79% on TMDB and 3.8/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Simone: Woman of the Century have a post-credit scene?
No. Simone: Woman of the Century has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Simone: Woman of the Century in?
The original language of Simone: Woman of the Century is French.
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