Romain Duris delivers a serviceable performance, yet the film ultimately feels underwhelming – an uneven blend of romance and engineering that leans too heavily toward the romantic aspects. The story alternates between his past, where he constructs a bridge and becomes involved with "Adrienne" (Emma Mackey), and the present day, which follows his participation in a contest to design Paris’s contribution for the 1889 World Fair. His concept of a 300m tower is selected—it surpassed even plans for the subway system—but he soon encounters problems related to industry, labor disputes, financial instability, and the reappearance of "Adrienne," who is now married to the prominent "Antoine" (Pierre Deladonchamps). Certain moments stand out, notably those depicting the construction process, including laying the tower’s foundations and aligning the metalwork, where the engineering aspects shine and offer a glimpse into his inventive abilities. The depiction of using sand, water, and considerable physical effort to achieve precise measurements is occasionally portrayed with some tension. However, largely it's an unenthusiastic melodrama centered on his complicated relationship, and while there’s a curious explanation for the tower’s shape resembling the letter "A," the whole thing descends into a rather average and indistinct mass. The film’s visuals are appealing, and the costumes and settings are well-done, but everything else is forgettable; I kept thinking he resembled Maximillian Schell and she could have been Margot Robbie. Best suited for television viewing, really.

Source on TMDB