Love Letters is a New Must-Watch Lesbian Movie that Has Just Arrived! The film premiered at Cannes 2025 and is getting amazing reviews. You can read all about the French movie Love Letters in this article.
Love Letters (Des preuves d’amour) is the kind of lesbian movie we’ve been waiting for—authentic, emotional, and full of heart. And admittedly, just writing those words, I feel an urgent need to rewatch Portrait of a Lady on Fire. But that’s neither here nor there, so let’s stay on track.
The new French LGBTQ movie Love Letters was directed by Alice Douard. The tender dramedy explores queer motherhood, legal recognition, and the quiet resilience of love.
It’s a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply human story that’s already drawing comparisons to Blue Is the Warmest Colour—but with more warmth, less voyeurism, and a whole lot more joy. Sounds about right, as the comparisons wouldn’t make much sense otherwise.
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If you love powerful female-led storytelling with genuine LGBTQ+ representation, this one absolutely belongs on your watchlist.
Plot: Love, Law, and the Making of a Family
Set in Paris in 2014, shortly after France legalized same-sex marriage, Love Letters follows Céline (played by Ella Rumpf), a 32-year-old woman preparing to become a mother. But she’s not the one who’s pregnant. That would be her wife, Nadia (Monia Chokri). She’s due to give birth in three months.
As Céline navigates the legal labyrinth of co-parent adoption, she’s forced to confront her own insecurities. These are about everything from legitimacy and identity to what it means to be a “real” parent.
The film unfolds through the stages of the adoption process, blending legal bureaucracy with emotional intimacy.
Céline’s journey is marked by awkward interviews, unexpected humor, and moments of profound vulnerability. Under the scrutiny of her friends, her mother (played by Noémie Lvovsky), and the law, Céline searches for her place in a world.
One that sadly continues to question the validity of her family.
Director Alice Douard: From Personal Experience to Universal Storytelling
Alice Douard makes her feature debut with Love Letters, drawing inspiration from her own experience with the adoption process. In an interview with La Semaine de la Critique, Douard shared:
“I went through the adoption process with my daughter, to whom my wife gave birth in 2018. I wanted to address that legal aspect by connecting it to something intimate, because it all felt very novelistic.”
Douard’s approach is refreshingly light-hearted, aiming to shift the often somber tone of LGBTQ+ narratives:
“LGBTQ+ films are commonly—and rightly so—harsh or sad. We wanted a film focused on joy and life.”
Her previous short film, L’attente, won the 2024 César for Best Short Fiction Film. Love Letters builds on that success with a story that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant.
The Cast of Love Letters: Chemistry That Sparks
Ella Rumpf (Marguerite’s Theorem, Tiger Girl) delivers a nuanced performance as Céline, capturing the character’s internal struggles with grace and authenticity. Monia Chokri (The Nature of Love, Falcon Lake) brings warmth and complexity to Nadia, creating a believable and compelling partnership on screen.
Fortunately, and very importantly, their chemistry is palpable, grounding the film’s emotional core.
Noémie Lvovsky, a seasoned actress known for her César-nominated roles, adds depth as Céline’s mother. She’s portraying a woman grappling with her daughter’s choices and her own preconceptions.
Visuals and Tone: A Celebration of Life
Cinematographer Jacques Girault captures the essence of Paris with a warm, intimate lens. At the same time, Anne-Sophie Delseries’ production design creates spaces that feel lived-in and authentic. The film’s tone balances humor and heartache, reflecting the real-life complexities of building a family.
Douard’s decision to infuse the narrative with comedic elements stems from her own experiences:
“My experience, gathering testimonies, was that we often found ourselves in rather funny situations. People dared say things that, sometimes, left us speechless.”
This approach results in a film that’s both thought-provoking and uplifting. Again, this is challenging stereotypes while celebrating the everyday moments that define love and family.
While a trailer has not yet been released, promotional images from the film showcase the tender moments between Céline and Nadia, as well as the vibrant Parisian backdrop. These visuals hint at the film’s intimate storytelling and the strong performances at its heart.
A Must-Watch for Queer Cinema Enthusiasts
Love Letters is a poignant and joyful exploration of queer motherhood, identity, and the bureaucratic hurdles that LGBTQ+ families often face. Douard’s debut feature is a testament to the power of love and the importance of representation in cinema.
For fans of heartfelt, character-driven stories, Love Letters is a film that resonates long after the credits roll. It’s a celebration of love in all its forms, and a reminder that every family’s story deserves to be told.
Note: As of now, a trailer for ‘Love Letters’ has not been released. Stay tuned for updates as the film continues its festival circuit and approaches wider distribution.
