Jefferson in Paris

views updated

Jefferson in Paris ★★½ 1994 (PG-13)

Costume drama explores the impact Thomas Jefferson's (Nolte) five years in pre-revolutionary Paris (as American ambassador to Versailles) had on his private life. Jefferson confronts the personal and political issues of slavery in America, as well as his feelings for Sally Hemings (Newton), a Monticello slave brought to Paris by Jefferson's daughter. The Jefferson-Hemings legend may or may not be true (more likely not, according to many historians), but it seems to be the central theme here. Merchant Ivory's trademark tasteful production values and earnest characters can't camouflage the fact that they're playing fast and loose with the historical facts. 139m/C VHS, DVD . Nick Nolte, Greta Scacchi, Gwyneth Paltrow, Thandie Newton, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Seth Gilliam, Todd Boyce, James Earl Jones; D: James Ivory; W: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala; M: Richard Robbins.

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

Jefferson in Paris

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

You Might Also Like

    NEARBY TERMS

    Jefferson in Paris