Pauline & Paulette

Rating:
Summary: A happy tears film
Review: Before seeing it, "Pauline & Paulette" was at the bottom of my list at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival. I had low expectations for it and only went to see it because my other choices were sold out. As sometimes surprisingly wonderful happens at these events, it turned out to be one of my favorite films.

This is a story of four elderly sisters, one of whom is mentally retarded. Dora van der Groen's portrayal of Pauline, the retarded sister, is brilliantly convincing. Ann Petersen plays her favorite sister, Paulette, the owner of a dress shop whose future plans are thrown into question when Pauline's guardian (another sister, Martha) suddenly dies. Both Paulette and the fourth sister, Cecile, struggle over who will care for Pauline. Pauline clearly prefers Paulette and the love these two have for one another is heart-warming. While it has some powerfully emotional moments, Pauline's misadventures also provide some light comedy. These moods are all enhanced by the set designs (like Martha's dreary brown kitchen or Paulette's bright red and pink bedroom) and background music (the "Waltz of the Flowers" for the garden scene is fantastic).

I'm delighted this film is now available on DVD and I'm very happy to recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A happy tears film
Review: Before seeing it, "Pauline & Paulette" was at the bottom of my list at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival. I had low expectations for it and only went to see it because my other choices were sold out. As sometimes surprisingly wonderful happens at these events, it turned out to be one of my favorite films.

This is a story of four elderly sisters, one of whom is mentally retarded. Dora van der Groen's portrayal of Pauline, the retarded sister, is brilliantly convincing. Ann Petersen plays her favorite sister, Paulette, the owner of a dress shop whose future plans are thrown into question when Pauline's guardian (another sister, Martha) suddenly dies. Both Paulette and the fourth sister, Cecile, struggle over who will care for Pauline. Pauline clearly prefers Paulette and the love these two have for one another is heart-warming. While it has some powerfully emotional moments, Pauline's misadventures also provide some light comedy. These moods are all enhanced by the set designs (like Martha's dreary brown kitchen or Paulette's bright red and pink bedroom) and background music (the "Waltz of the Flowers" for the garden scene is fantastic).

I'm delighted this film is now available on DVD and I'm very happy to recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Pauline & Paulette, a beautifully realized film
Review: I discovered this film about a month ago, and, initially, I must admit, I had reservations as to how good it might be. I haven't seen more than a dozen foreign-produced films, and while some have been quite well done, I came away from the majority disappointed. Everything about this film, though, vastly exceeded my highest expectations-the attention to detail, both in plot and characterization, is exquisite.

The beauty of the plot, along with its actual realization in the film, defies any overly simplistic description that I might relate here, so I will limit myself to the basic theme and the manner in which this theme is expressed. I view the major theme of this film to be that of the treasuring, or cherishing, of ALL individuals-especially those who are often viewed by society as being less than human. Less than human, of course, refers to those people with physical/mental disabilities, who are generally brushed aside and devalued. Lieven Debrauwer's film, through careful plot device and quite humorous (yet still subtle & instructive) dialogue, never falters in bringing genuine and clearly heartfelt emotion to the screen. Quite clearly, this director has a great passion for fine filmmaking; never once throughout the film did I feel that any detail was excluded or otherwise overlooked. Unbelievably, all of this is packed into just slightly over 70 joyous minutes.

The director's commentary on this DVD is superb; watch the film first, and then view the film again with his thoughts and various comments. You will be delighted by his style, and will acquire a wealth of insightful information about the participants in the production.

I cannot close without noting the incredible acting ability of each & every actor in this film; even the taxi driver seems to have been chosen especially for his particularly convincing approach. (If this sounds far-fetched to you, please, please, please---buy the DVD & experience it for yourself!)

If only Columbia had released his two short films on this Region 1 release! I eagerly look forward to the future directorial efforts of Mr. Debrauwer.

Rating:
Summary: Sisters
Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this film.

In recent years, several films ("Eighth Day" for example) have attempted to portray mentally challenged individuals who teach their caretakers the "meaning of life." All of these films, in my opinion, failed to carry off the message. This film succeeded admirably.

Pauline lives with her sister, Martha, in a small village in Holland. Martha is Pauline's caretaker--tying her shoes, cutting her meat, and putting her to bed at night. This arrangement works very well for the other two sisters, Paulette (who owns a lingerie shop in the village), and Cecile (who lives in Brussels with her snotty French boyfriend, Albert).

When Martha dies suddenly, Paulette and Cecile argue about who should take care of Pauline--an issue complicated by the fact that Martha's will specifies that one of the sisters must take care of Pauline in order to inherit any money. If Pauline is institutionalized, Paulette and Cecile won't inherit.

Both Paulette and Cecile know how they'd spend the money, but they are unwilling to incorporate Pauline into their lives--although they do try. But Pauline is unable to sink seamlessly into either of her sisters' lives, and the choices the sisters make is the meat of this film.

Rating:
Summary: Dora van der Groen - She's a handful, and she shines!
Review: The centerpiece of this fine little film is Dora van der Groen's portrayal of Pauline, a retarded woman who is helpless and stubbornly willful, oblivious and conveniently aware, guileless and mischievously wily - in short, a handful to her sisters. van der Groen creates such an authentic character it's not only hard to believe, it's hard to **accept** that we're watching an actress and not the genuine article. Add to that the family dynamics that slowly, quietly unwind from frustration to grudging acceptance and then to real warmth, and you've got 78 minutes of the small compromises, small reconciliations, and small steps forward that left me thinking, "Yes, that's the way it should be."

Rating:
Summary: A sweet, but not saccharin tale of love between two sisters
Review: This lovely film tells the story of two sisters, Pauline and Paulette. Pauline is in her sixties, but has the mind of a three-year old. Paulette is her younger sister, who suddenly has the care of Pauline thrust upon her when another sister who was caring for Pauline dies. Paulette initially thinks that Pauline is a terrible inconvenience. If you want to find out if her opinion changes, see the movie. I'd hate to spoil it for you. The acting by Dora van der Groen and Ann Petersen was exceptional, and the story was just perfect. I give it an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Rating:
Summary: A sweet, but not saccharin tale of love between two sisters
Review: This lovely film tells the story of two sisters, Pauline and Paulette. Pauline is in her sixties, but has the mind of a three-year old. Paulette is her younger sister, who suddenly has the care of Pauline thrust upon her when another sister who was caring for Pauline dies. Paulette initially thinks that Pauline is a terrible inconvenience. If you want to find out if her opinion changes, see the movie. I'd hate to spoil it for you. The acting by Dora van der Groen and Ann Petersen was exceptional, and the story was just perfect. I give it an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Rating:
Summary: There's a rock in it
Review: This Movie was very funny. You must see her water the flowers. Paulette has a cake bed that looks yummy. Pauline likes Jam not chocolate on her toast. Well I hope you enjoy the vul-au-vent.