» Total Eclipse

» Synopsis

Set in Paris in the late 1800s, this is the romantic, turbulent story of French poets Paul Verlaine (1844-96), the "Prince of Poets," and Arthur Rimbaud (1854-91), the mythic poet who inspired Jim Morrison, Jack Kerouac and the rock generation. It is a psychological drama based on the complex and darkly sensual relationship between the two poets as well as an exploration into the joys and agonies of their genius.

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Director: Agnieszka Holland Writers: Christopher Hampton (screenplay) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio ... Arthur Rimbaud Christopher Thompson ... Carjat David Thewlis ... Paul Verlaine Romane Bohringer ... Mathilde Verlaine Dominique Blanc ... Isabelle Rimbaud Felicie Pasotti Cabarabaye ... Isabelle--as a child Nita Klein (II) ... Rimbaud's Mother James Thierree ... Frederic Emmanuelle Oppo ... Vitalie Denise Chalem ... Mrs Maute de Fleurville Andrzej Seweryn ... Mr Maute de Fleurville Bruce van Barthold ... Aicard Christopher Chaplin ... Charles Cross Christopher Hampton ... The Judge Mathias Jung ... Andre Kettly Noel ... Somalian Woman Cheb Chan ... Djami Released on: November 3, 1995

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» Trivia

River Phoenix was originally attached to the project, but the part of Rimabud went to Leonardo DiCaprio after Phoenix's death.

John Malkovich was initially attached to play Verlaine, but pulled out.

David Thewlis shaved part of his head especially for the film so as to look like the real Verlaine.

Ouzo was used as a replacement for absinthe for the drinking scenes filmed on the first day. Because the scene turned out so well, method drinking was adopted for the rest of filming. As a result, Thewlis had admitted in a interview that he can't really remember making the film at all.