Rating: 
Summary: The R-rating is a hate crime!
Review: Since gay and lesbian themes are sort of OK in Hollywood as long as it conforms with the market stereotypes, it is aggravating to see this Franco-Belgian coproduction being rated "R" (just get rid of the whole rating crap, will you). Transsexual feelings in kids! Oh my God, that's the perverse of all perversia, plus it's foreign, and spoken in French, must be corruptingly erotic and evil... R. Next. Hereby I wish to call out to all parents to not only talk about sexuality with your kids, but to give NO heed to this rating, and even view this movie together! By banning this film from a large part of the teenage population, ignorance and thus prejudice about sexual orientation and indeed about respect for difference are strengthened. This movie is not only bittersweet, it is, judged from previous comments, a colorful "child's view" of the narrow-minded adult world and its lack of fantasy. To Leonard Maltin: this story is not set in a suburb in Belgium, but Paris (in France!).
Rating:
Summary: Hannah! Why did you climb a billboard?
Review: Subtitled. English: My Life in Pink.This is a touching film about the anguish one family in France has as they build a new life in a new town with their young son Ludo who is comfortable with the fact that he is gay and has a liking for all clothes and trappings that society deems only acceptable for girls (it is the rest of the family that has a problem with it.) Apparently, now Ludo has decided that he will marry a boy, and that particular boy is the son of his own dad's boss. What is amazing is what a brilliant actor the child who plays Ludo is. He never loses his innocence nor his belief that he can be a girl no matter what the angry adults are scraeming at him (and it is only adults who seem to be giving him a hard time about it. Other children are far more accepting.) The mother hannah is particularly having problems with Ludo, and takes out her frustrations with his behavior on him in a rather frightening manner. But, like real family life, the story is not without humor, particularly in Ludo's favorite children's TV show, whichinvolves a very beautiful blonde hostess, which Hannah soon deems the source of all evil.
Rating: 
Summary: odd movie, but not bad
Review: I watched this movie in a college sociology class. It's not bad. A little weird (the dream sequences, mostly). We watched this movie while we were studying *GENDER ROLES* in society and what society expects of both genders. I do not think that this movie has anything to do with homosexuality. For pete's sake, we're dealing with a kid here who thinks he's a girl. I have met a few homosexual people. They know what gender they are. They don't go around claiming otherwise. Basically, to me, this movie was about a seven-year-old boy who does not conform to society's expectations of him. As the psychologist found out, Ludo's parents wanted a girl and thus treated him this way. There are a few scenes where he was treated like a girl and he was often expected to do things that his brothers were not expected to do. As a result, we see what happens when Ludo does not conform to society's rules. His family is ostracized, he gets kicked out of school and beat up by his peers. Ludo is clearly confused as to what gender he is. When his sister explains that biologically Ludo is a boy, Ludo begins to think that the extra X chromosome got lost somewhere, and as a result he is a boy. By the end of the movie, Ludo finds that he is indeed a boy. He finally meets up with a girl who is a lot like him. This helps him out a lot. My point is, this movie is about gender confusion (brought on to some extent by his parents) and a little boy growing up. Just because he plays with dolls and wears a dress does not make him gay. I played with trucks and played sports and hated wearing dresses, much like the girl in this movie. That does not make me a lesbian. Get off your high horse and assumptions that make children who don't comform even more confused.
Rating:
Summary: STUNNINGLY WONDERFUL
Review: I have only recently begun to enjoy foreign films with subtitles because I simply can not stand dubbed films. To me, a dubbed film losses all the emotion and talent of the actors, and so, I've learned to read and watch at the same time and cannot believe what I've been missing. First, let me suggest to anyone who watches this or any film in a language foreign to you to learn to master subtitles and secondly, I suggest that you not miss this beautiful, beautiful story. This movie literally stunned me with it's candid exploration of such a rare and completely splendid young child. The entire time I watched this film my empathy bounced like a ball to both the protagonist (Ludovic) and the antagonists (the neighbors). This movie is a rarity in that it opens your mind with a can opener and shows you just how you think and act. The beautiful child Ludovic know who he/she is and what he/she wants, which is to grow up to be a girl and live a beautiful pink life. It's the rest of the world that's confused. The freezer scene is to me the cincher in that is shows what Ludovic thinks the world wants him to do, since he cannot be anyone but himself, the only answer is to stop being anyone at all. What a sad and true message this movieteaches about the difficulty we have with tolorance. I think that this movie should be shown in grade schools to children to show them why they should be kind to each other and so that children who are treated intolorably can see how difficult tolorance is to master.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Movies Ever Made.
Review: That is not hyperbole. I agree with the previous reviewer wholeheartedly, the "R" rating applied here is hatemongering of the worst order. I can't imagine the kind of heartless Klansmen that they drug up to focus-group this rating. It is totally inappropriate. Yes, "Ma Vie en Rose" is great. I'll admit to my bias as a transsexual woman, though. I approached the film with some suspicion, as every other movie treats us with utter contempt. But by the end I was shuddering with tears. If you ever wonder how a transsexual girl grows up, this is it in an unapologetic nutshell. How some people can watch "Ma Vie en Rose" and, against all humane feeling, still refer to Ludovic as "he" is beyond me. But rather than decend into pity (yet more TG contempt, really), Ludovic's story is told with an unswerving eye toward describing both the everyday gender fascism of the people around her and the secret joys of childhood's unshirking enthusiasms. This film got an "R" because every aspect of it has courage to tell the truth of society's "problem" with transgenderism and transsexuality: that it is bigotry borne of small, weak minds; pure and simple. "Ma Vie en Rose" should be shown to every parent and child and in every school for this reason. It doesn't just advocate tolerance. There's no prissy and patronizing moral politicking. It advocates good old-fashioned civility, respect and love. And empathy. It serves nicely as a shibboleth for most people's empathetic nature (or lack thereof). The superb acting, sincere story, and magical realist treatment combine to give a literate and mythic quality film rarely has. That the plot regards transgenderism is unfortunate in a way; that was its death knell, box office-wise. It could have been about anything, really. Societies have a million ways of torturing those who don't or can't be hammered down. "Ma Vie en Rose" will instantly resonate with anyone who gags at the "we're really all the same" mantra. The laughable irony that most people will miss is what an utterly conventional girl Ludo truly is. She even worships at the feet of the Great Goddess of suburban femininity: Barbie aka "Pam". Well, others have better attested to the virtues of it's storytelling, acting, and cinematography. "Ma Vie en Rose" triumphs on those scores and more. However, what it does best is celebrate the indomitable, creative fire of the spirit against all odds. For movies I would link it to off the top of my head, I would say "Magnolia" and "Welcome to the Dollhouse". Buy it now. You will not be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Plaintive and dishearteningly honest
Review: The representation of what is fantasy versus "real life" in this film serves to highlight the perception of how the transgendered main character, named Ludovic, comes to clash with the Parisian perception of what it is to be "bent." In doing so, Ludo brings his adoration of the barbie-esque Pam, his family, his friendship with neighbor children to clash with their societal vision of how gendered children should act. Some of his attempts to understand how a boy or girl should act play out as a comedy of errors with tragic results, have a significant negative impact on Ludo's life. This film orchestrates commentary on the way in which the genders are impressed upon children via the media and cultural indoctrination; the way in which the female is surveyed by the masculine decision makers and how women affect their world through presence and men affect the world through action (surveyors/surveyed). In summary, this is a difficult picture to watch without internalizing the strife the transgendered child evokes, and is a surefire way to heat up some discussion on the topic.
Rating:
Summary: Ma Vie En Rose
Review: What do you call a girl who would rather play sports than color? What about a girl who prefers shorts to dresses? Some might answer "normal" while others will answer "a tomboy." Nevertheless, tomboys are a common phenomenom who are fortunate enough to have no social stigmas attached to them. Find a boy who prefers to dance and wear dresses, however, and you are dealing with a sick child with homosexual tendencies. The double standard is both apparent and completely unfair. Ma Vie En Rose examines the role of sexual stereotypes in today's culture while showing how certain elements in society encourage conformity and inhibit diversity. Seven year-old Ludovic is a boy who wants to be a girl. He likes to wear dresses and talks of marrying another young boy by the name of Jerome. Ludovic's family, who have recently moved into a new neighborhood, are embarassed by Ludovic's actions and struggle to suppress his transexual yearnings. Though Ludovic's actions are surprising to viewers, it is still more interesting to examine the panopticon his family is part of. Ludovic's father, Pierre, does not know how to best cope with his son's tendencies. Ludovic's sometimes embarassing displays of femininity threaten to derail his father's career, as Jerome happens to be Pierre's employers son (yikes!). Those who assume that Ludovic is gay have missed the point of this film entirely. Sexuality isn't even an issue, especially at Ludovic's age. Ma Vie En Rose isn't concerned with Ludovic's eventual sexual orientation. The film is careful to keep its focus within childhood. Ludovic likes to wear dresses and makeup. He associates these things as the traits of women, and for this reason, feels he needs to marry Jerome. In an idealistic world, Ludovic would be able to enjoy these things without giving up on his masculinity. In the real world, however, Ludovic must unconsciously choose sides. He chooses the "feminine" because the restrictions of socialization give him no other option. This film is a bright (so bright in its use of color, it would make Barbie sick) and intelligent film which instead of asking why, asks why not?
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Movies Ever Made.
Review: That is not hyperbole. I agree with the previous reviewer wholeheartedly, the "R" rating applied here is hatemongering of the worst order. I can't imagine the kind of heartless Klansmen that they drug up to focus-group this rating. It is totally inappropriate. Yes, "Ma Vie en Rose" is great. I'll admit to my bias as a transsexual woman, though. I approached the film with some suspicion, as every other movie treats us with utter contempt. But by the end I was shuddering with tears. If you ever wonder how a transsexual girl grows up, this is it in an unapologetic nutshell. How some people can watch "Ma Vie en Rose" and, against all humane feeling, still refer to Ludovic as "he" is beyond me. But rather than decend into pity (yet more TG contempt, really), Ludovic's story is told with an unswerving eye toward describing both the everyday gender fascism of the people around her and the secret joys of childhood's unshirking enthusiasms. This film got an "R" because every aspect of it has courage to tell the truth of society's "problem" with transgenderism and transsexuality: that it is bigotry borne of small, weak minds; pure and simple. "Ma Vie en Rose" should be shown to every parent and child and in every school for this reason. It doesn't just advocate tolerance. There's no prissy and patronizing moral politicking. It advocates good old-fashioned civility, respect and love. And empathy. It serves nicely as a shibboleth for most people's empathetic nature (or lack thereof). The superb acting, sincere story, and magical realist treatment combine to give a literate and mythic quality film rarely has. That the plot regards transgenderism is unfortunate in a way; that was its death knell, box office-wise. It could have been about anything, really. Societies have a million ways of torturing those who don't or can't be hammered down. "Ma Vie en Rose" will instantly resonate with anyone who gags at the "we're really all the same" mantra. The laughable irony that most people will miss is what an utterly conventional girl Ludo truly is. She even worships at the feet of the Great Goddess of suburban femininity: Barbie aka "Pam". Well, others have better attested to the virtues of it's storytelling, acting, and cinematography. "Ma Vie en Rose" triumphs on those scores and more. However, what it does best is celebrate the indomitable, creative fire of the spirit against all odds. For movies I would link it to off the top of my head, I would say "Magnolia" and "Welcome to the Dollhouse". Buy it now. You will not be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Gotta love that kid...
Review: The previous reviewer noted that this movie is not the out and out comedy or tragedy that it might have been in the hands on an American filmmaker. I would concur with that, with a bit of a caveat. The HBO short "Trevor" about a gay (admittedly not "transgendered") teen coming to terms with his identity achieved a similar tone. Still the point that this film has a lightness of tone uncharacteristic of American commercial film is certainly well taken. One difference in the European perspective is that it is less tainted with Puritanism. True, young Ludovic's friend (and object of affection) is discouraged from playing with him because he'll go to hell. From what we know of the friend's parents, however, this has less to do with their actual beliefs than with their overall discomfort and alarm and the perceived need to come up with some reason--any reason--to keep him from playing with Ludo. If you simply enumerate some of the crises that Ludo and his family undergo, it would indeed seem like heavy dramatic fare. The parents' difficulty in dealing with the situation (and the fact that they seem to alternate in being supportive and loving)is at times painful to watch. Hate grafitti is sprayed on their garage door, and Dad ultimately loses his job. There is even an apparent suicide attempt (although it seems unlikely that seven year old Ludo truly understands death) that provides the film's most disturbing scene. Still the film is more heart-tugging than heart-rending. Some reviewers suggest Ludovic's total innocence and loving nature probably provide the leavening touch. I suspect that's a good part of it. There is something indominatable in his spirit that keeps the film from shifting to melodrama. And of course the many fantasy sequences with the fictional TV character "Pam" contribute to the film's playful tone. It's a sweet movie. Recommended to anyone with a heart.
Rating:
Summary: Plaintive and dishearteningly honest
Review: The representation of what is fantasy versus "real life" in this film serves to highlight the perception of how the transgendered main character, named Ludovic, comes to clash with the Parisian perception of what it is to be "bent." In doing so, Ludo brings his adoration of the barbie-esque Pam, his family, his friendship with neighbor children to clash with their societal vision of how gendered children should act. Some of his attempts to understand how a boy or girl should act play out as a comedy of errors with tragic results, have a significant negative impact on Ludo's life. This film orchestrates commentary on the way in which the genders are impressed upon children via the media and cultural indoctrination; the way in which the female is surveyed by the masculine decision makers and how women affect their world through presence and men affect the world through action (surveyors/surveyed). In summary, this is a difficult picture to watch without internalizing the strife the transgendered child evokes, and is a surefire way to heat up some discussion on the topic.
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