Rating: 
Summary: Review- Ma Vie en Rose
Review: Ma Vie en Rose is a new-wave film expressing the joys and horrors of a little boy's life when the issue of gender confusion takes over his small, Parisian town. Ludovic, the main character (played by Georges Du Fresne) is convinced that he is meant to be a girl, that the fact he is a boy is simply a biological mistake. As the story progresses, Ludovic finds himself fantasizing about his favorite female character "Pam", who in many cases is viewed by the French as a "Barbie". Her appearances in the film seem to be critiquing society's views on women, being that they are obviously unrealistic (she flies, has the same body type as Barbie, always looks beautiful) and extremely fantastical. To Ludovic however, Pam is the epitome of what a woman should be. She is viewed by others as a perfect emblem of femininity; skinny, pretty, soft-spoken and kind. In his attempts to dress as a girl, Ludovic tries to act in the same manner as Pam, experimenting with dresses, and make-up. He sees nothing wrong with his desire to be a female, but soon learns that he is not supported in his efforts by his town, or his family. His seemingly friendly, upper-middle class neighborhood does not take to his confusion about gender; the children make fun of him, and the adults' behavior demonstrates that they will not tolerate this. Ludovic does everything he can to suppress his feelings of confusion, even attempting to act like a boy (plays soccer etc.) However, it is simply too difficult, especially after meeting Christine, a little girl who gladly would trade her dress for Ludovic's pants and shirt. Many of the circumstances Ludovic faces in the film are very sad to watch, realizing that this type of response from people is not atypical. The film in fact does a good job of portraying a realistic response that might come from a wealthy, seemingly conservative town, representing an intersection of economic class, and gender identity confusion. The confused child is only more frustrated because nobody believes that this is what he truly wants. Making him feel sorry for his feelings is detrimental to Ludovic, as well as to his family. After being forced to move from their village, and "coming to terms" with Ludovic's true feelings, the family is able to come together and embrace Ludovic for who he his, regardless of whether he is a male or female. I would recommend this film to all those who wish to open their minds to new ideas. It is am amazing film.
Rating: 
Summary: A Life in Pink...
Review: Ma Vie en Rose, directed by Alain Berliner in 1997, attacks many of the norms in our society. A major theme of the film is heteronormativity. Ludovic is a seven year-old boy who seems at this young age to defy the rules that force society to conform to a heterosexual identity. His desire to dress like a girl does not necessarily indicate that he is homosexual, but his expression of a genuine belief that he was meant to be a female. Once he discovered that God "mixed-up" his chromosomes, he began to openly express his gender outside of society's conformist view of how he should have. This theme as well as family, gender binaries, and conformity carry out through the film. As evidenced by the expressed opinions of neighbors, teachers, friends, and family, Ludovic and his family's encouragement of his behavior would not be accepted. In the film, Berliner presents the intersection of gender in a stereotypical society.
In Ludovic's environment there is only room for two distinct and opposite genders. Despite the fact that Luovic's belief about his identity is completely innocent, the people surrounding him still feel the need to criticize and pass judgment. Berliner exaggerates the stereotypes of the society, as well as those of the transgender, "bent" community. Primarily by introducing Pam, the main character in the show that Ludovic watches, viewers are given something concrete to relate Ludovic's ideas about femininity to. The fictional character is tall and slim with long blonde hair. She dances and sings wearing provocative clothing. Ludovic watches Pam and imitates her behavior, clothing, hairstyle, and dancing. Because Ludovic genuinely believes he was meant to be a girl, he constantly feels confused and out of place when his behavior is not accepted. Berliner's critique of the one-minded, conformist views of our society should hopefully reach viewers and speak volumes about our ignorance.
Rating: 
Summary: One boy's confusion is one family's struggles
Review: Ma Vie En Rose is a movie about a young boy who is attempting to discover himself. He is a seven year old child that strongly believes that he was born to be a girl. He wants to dress like a girl, play with girl toys, watch TV shows that were meant for girls, and he wants to grow up and marry his friend Jerome. At no time in the movie is Ludovic to be considered a homosexual child. It is hard to believe that a seven year old would begin understanding his sexuality at such a young age.
This movie brings up the sexual stereotypes of a homosexual person. It's even hard to think to oneself that Ludovic isn't. He never says that he is a homosexual; he only insists that he is a girl. This movie is not about sexuality it is about gender identity. Many think that because Ludovic says that he is a girl and acts like a girl, it must mean that he is a homosexual child. This is not the case at all. In fact, he may even grow out of the phase when he's older and understand that he is a boy and will grow up to be a man. We only see Ludovic as a child, but he hints towards the end of the movie that he was slowly growing out of the phase. The movie accurately shows a boy with a strong feminine side who is trying to discover himself as a girl.
The neighborhood Ludovic's family lives in starts off as a peaceful, little community. As neighbors and friends begin to learn about Ludovic, they begin to despise the family. It's a white, middle class neighborhood that accepts nothing out of the stereotypical norm. The husbands go to work, the wives stay home and take care of the children and household, everything is "perfect." When the people find out about Ludovic's "differences" the neighborhood turns their backs to him and his family and everything gets out of hand. This quiet street that once got together for picnics and fun becomes a war zone where supporters of Ludovic and his family are shunned by those who don't. Eventually things get so dangerous that Ludovic and his family are driven out of the neighborhood. The movie shows that no matter what race or social class a group of people is, anything other than what's consider normal needs to stay away.
Rating:
Summary: innocense and a real topic
Review: This movie portrays some taboo topics that few films in America have. The issues of gender, family, and the economy, family dynamics and fantasy come to play in this film. It deals with some pretty real issues, like homosexuality and acceptance, but uses a small innocent boy to smooth things over. A well-deserved film.
Rating:
Summary: Madonnafan
Review: I think most of the reviewers are wrong. In my opinion, this movie is not about tolerance or diversity; it's about individuals' emotional understandings of the world.
Rating:
Summary: Le rose est devenu ma couleur préférée!
Review: I am so thrilled and excited to have been able to see a film like this in my lifetime! Unlike the cynicism demonstrated by some (obviously American) reviewers, I believe that the message which this movie sends to families of others going through similar situations is a valid and worthy one. When the father tells Ludovic at the end that he can do whatever he feels is best and that whatever he decides is all right, because he will still be his child, and then the mother adds, "although I have forgotten that lately", I thought that this was an excellent and touching way to sum up the entire film. It was obvious the love and understanding that the parents (at different turns) wanted and attempted to show Ludvic. It was also realistic and worthy of the film, I think, to demonstrate the limits of that patience and understanding, but to end the film with a redemption of the parents' love and an optimism for the future of Ludovic not only for himself but also as a member of his family and even his new community. This is important to demonstrate to people who are going through such circumstances. I believe that it also demonstrates the power of determination in a person when he truly sets out to be who he is and to honestly portray that to others. Ludovic made attempts at compromising, but finally reached the point at which he was able to receive not only acceptance, but respect from his family for who he was and who he wished to be. That is incredibly important. But even more importantly, this was a movie which was done honestly and straight-forwardly and honestly, and which made no attempt to preach at or teach us. It was a slice of life, albeit an unusual life. But it was done well, and it was done correctly. I think that Georges De Fresne is the most adorable and most talented young actor I have ever come across, and I will begin today to look for more of his work. He is a genuine treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: Emotional Drivel
Review: "My Life in Pink" is the kind of movie you'd expect to be made about a boy who thinks he's a girl. Every misunderstanding is in place, every prejudiced neighbor is waiting, and the message of "be yourself" is firmly carved into movie's skull. Watching this, I should have known that the movie would end with tears of acceptance, words of "I love you just the way you are," and all that crap, but I was actually hoping for something more. I was hoping the movie would take a bitter turn and maybe examine this boy's problem SERIOUSLY.Unfortunately, what I got was a rather homophobic movie, afraid to address any serious questions about the boy/girl situation and instead falling into emotional cliques and circumstances. To be fair, the acting was quite good, especially by the little guy himself. But when acting like his is wasted in sappy fluid like this, it's not worth seeing; it will only make you wish the movie was worthy enough to contain this kind of acting. Adding to the clique storyline is several dream sequences featuring a Barbie-like character. Frankly, these are the worst moments of the film, far terrible than any of the said emotional manipulations above. The sequences ruin any potential the movie MIGHT have had and are just plain silly. For a better use of this kind of filmmaking, see "Dancer in the Dark" (although I have problems with that film, too). When I first saw this movie, I was hoping for a serious, profound film about a boy longing to be a girl... What I got was this. Don't waste your time.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting story about the universal evil of homophobia
Review: The subject matter of this wonderful film (parents' reaction to their suspicions they may have a gay child) is sadly still a contoversial topic. The parents of the 7 year-old hero respond irratically to the ever mounting pile of evidence, at times supportive, at times down-playing, then again aggressively trying to "fight" this non-sense in their son's head. The stereotypes of the "bent", as well as the extreme "opposers" (parents unanomously signing petitions to expell the boy from his school - UNANOMOUSLY???? WOW!), neighbors (who seem to be hiding "secrets" of their own) are vivid, and hopefully strongly exaggerated. To see a 7 year old "hide" in a freezer is a frightning sign that children feel so desperately "out-of-place" in the world that seems to not want them in it. The fantasy element of "Pam", a "Barbie-Doll-like" fictional character, serves as an escape for the boy who wishes to be a girl. When the family feels forced to leave their home (after Dad got fired - we wonder how that happened??) for a distant new place, all seems well until our hero is "caught" swapping party costumes with a girl. The boy's furious mother didn't realize that the little girl was the one who fancied the masculine costume the boy was wearing. At the end there is hope for a happy future for everyone. Unfortunately the parents (who should have known better from the start) took a dangerously long time to figure out what's right. They promised to love their son unconditionally, no matter what. This film is filled with magic and wonder and should be seen by all audiences. An R-Rating is absolutely rediculous! Elementary schools should make this film mandatory viewing. There is not a single scene in this entire film that would warrent even a PG-13. Who rated this film, anyway - Jerry Falwell? I highly recommend this film to those with an open mind, and especially to those without.*****
Rating:
Summary: I'd give this 10 stars if I could!
Review: I rented this and was totally delighted and thrilled - can't wait to get my own copy so I can watch it many more times. I concur totally with the other reviewers about the R-rating. Georges Du Fresnes is spellbinding in his portrayal of the little boy. The whole thing was an enchanting experience!
Rating:
Summary: What can't be understood can be destroyed
Review: What can't be understood can be destroyed ...and what can't be destroyed can at least be humiliated. Little
Ludovic is trying to destroy highly complicated world of adults with
his innocent dreams and visions. This movie may be too narrow in
addressing gender issues - it actually simplifies them to long hair
and pink color - so don't count on any psychological analysis of the
problem here or you'll be disappointed. But that's reality, that's how
people see it and superficial picture of human sexuality in this movie
yet enhances the impression of overhelming ignorance - the artificial
"happy end" is not (meant to be) happy at all if you think more about
it. This movie is also a socially important voice in general discusion
on abuse: everyone who thinks that physical abuse is worse than mental
abuse should watch a bit where Ludovic's hair is being cut by his
mother. The whole story is a very good lesson in what tolerance is: "I
can't change the way you feel, but I can put my arms around you",
something, that Ludovic seemed to have received only from his
grandma. Although it might have been more brave in analysis of gender
identity aspects, I still highly recommend it as a really good movie
in its genre. The movie is obligatory to watch for everyone. Apart
from social value it has also wonderfull pictures, extreemely
convincing actors - and unforgetable music from Dominique Dalcan.
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