PG-13

Jefferson in Paris

A powerful man torn between his love for one woman and his secret desire for another.

1995 • 139 min • Drama · Romance · History

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Synopsis

His wife having recently died, Thomas Jefferson accepts the post of United States ambassador to pre-revolutionary France, though he finds it difficult to adjust to life in a country where the aristocracy subjugates an increasingly restless peasantry. In Paris, he becomes smitten with cultured artist Maria Cosway, but, when his daughter visits from Virginia accompanied by her attractive slave, Sally Hemings, Jefferson's attentions are diverted.

Our family guide

Best from age 13

Movie Knight Score

50 reviews

51 Audience · 50 · 100%

Thomas Jefferson navigates French high society as the US ambassador, falling for a married artist. His focus shifts when his daughter arrives with her enslaved companion, Sally Hemings, leading to a complex relationship amidst pre-revolutionary tensions. The film explores personal desires and the contradictions of liberty during a pivotal historical period.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 3/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 4/10
Romance & sensuality: 5/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Discussions of slavery and exploitation
Mature themes of infidelity and relationships
Depictions of social unrest and class struggle
Characters consume alcohol and tobacco frequently

What it models well

Historical insight into 18th-century Europe
Challenges of leadership and personal ethics
The struggle for freedom and human rights

Talk about it after

The complex historical figure of Thomas Jefferson
Societal norms and inequalities of the 18th century
Personal choices versus public duty
The concept of freedom and its limitations

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Jefferson in Paris. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.