Kieslowski's trilogy set out to examine the ideals of Liberty,
Equality and Fraternity, but did so in unexpected ways. The first of
them is, like its colour, the coolest. Binoche plays the widow of a
universally adored composer who must move out of his shadow to claim her
own identity. In one of her finest screen roles, she never does the
obvious thing and mugs for sympathy, but instead provides a subtle,
compelling study of a woman finding out what it means to be alone and free
in the modern world.
