Balzac: A Life Of Passion (1999) Rating: Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Fanny Ardant, Virna Lisi, Jeanne Moreau, Claude Rich, Katja Riemann Director: Josee Dayan Category: Foreign, Drama Studio: WinStar Home Video Subtitles: English Length: 200 mins Want to buy?           Love was his inspiration…and his weakness Gerard Depardieu leads an all-star international cast in the dramatic true-life saga of Honore de Balzac, the French literary genius behind such 19th century classics as Cousin Bette, Eugenie Grandet and The Girl with the Golden Eyes. A passionate lover of women and the arts, Balzac is both ambitious and excessive.His flamboyant lifestyle is hindered, however, by tremendous personal struggles.Shunned by a demanding mother (Jeanne Moreau), disregarded by critics and harassed by debt-collectors, he works relentlessly to save himself from financial ruin.Balzac finds his only solace in letters from the Russian countess Eve Hanska (Fanny Ardant), a married woman whom he will love his entire life.