Eiffel is a 2021 French romantic drama film directed by Martin Bourboulon, from a script written by Caroline Bongrand. The film stars Romain Duris as Gustave Eiffel and follows a fictionalized romance between Eiffel and Adrienne Bourgès, his childhood sweetheart, played by Emma Mackey. It also stars Pierre Deladonchamps in a supporting role.
Eiffel premiered on 2 March 2021 at the Alliance Française French Film Festival in Australia, and was released in France on 13 October 2021, by Pathé Distribution. The film received mostly positive reviews, and grossed $13.6 million worldwide.
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Plot
31 March 1889 – Gustave Eiffel sits in his office, atop the newly completed thousand-foot (300 metre) iron tower he has designed and constructed – the Eiffel Tower.
September 1886 – Eiffel receives an award for his groundbreaking design for an iron skeleton to support the Statue of Liberty. Afterward, he considers what his next construction should be, for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris. Two of his employees, Maurice Koechlin and Émile Nouguier, propose a 200 metre (656 feet) steel tower, but he turns down their proposal, favouring a Metro system for Paris. In order to get publicity for his enterprise, he contacts an old friend, journalist Antoine de Restac. At a society party, Eiffel meets Restac’s wife, Adrienne. They have a strange, instant connection. Transfixed by her, Eiffel suddenly announces he will build a 300 metre steel tower, shocking the other guests.
Bordeaux, 1860 – while building an iron bridge over the treacherous River Garonne, Eiffel dives in to rescue a construction worker who fell into the river. Eiffel demands wood for safety scaffolding from his superiors, but his request is turned down. Eiffel goes to Bourgès, a wealthy local businessman, to ask for the wood. Eiffel meets Adrienne, Bourgès’ headstrong daughter. Impressed by having secretly witnessed Eiffel’s heroism on the bridge, she speaks up in defence of his request for the wood and secures it for him. Adrienne invites Eiffel to her birthday party. At the party he is awkward, but she finds his aloofness attractive. He kisses her, then storms off, embarrassed. She shows up later at his office, saying she is attracted to him. Eiffel does not believe her and sends her away, so she throws herself into the river, to spite him. He rescues her and they make love and begin a passionate affair.
