Aurore

I notice that I am the first person to post a comment from the U.S. What a SHAME that this movie has remained so limited in its access to a larger audience! If it wasn't for my family in Montreal, I would never have even known of this film's existence. Nevertheless, I was completely moved by this sad story of an innocent little girl's tragically painful life. It is a candid and horrific portrayal of human suffering and, though thoroughly difficult at times to watch, an important movie to see. I find that it puts a face on child abuse as well as well as the scary human tendency to "look the other way" when faced with difficult situations. It's truly an eye-opening and gut-wrenching movie experience that leaves you crying, angry and frustrated.

I was not familiar with any of the actors in the film, but I was supremely impressed with their acting capabilities. They draw you into the story in a way that makes you feel a part of it and, all the while, you forget that you are having to read subtitles (because, alas, I do not speak French).

I will recommend this movie to anyone and everyone, but I will be sure to preface my suggestion with a warning. This movie will rock you to the core and not everyone likes movies that are uncomfortable to watch. That being said, sometimes it is important to be made uneasy, it gets you to think and feel in a way that is important and, I believe, necessary.

I saw the original movie as a child and was so saddened by what this young lady went through. It was of course in black and white and very realistic for that time period. The original version was in french but even people who did not understand a word of french were lined up to see it because of all the hype about it. French people would be translating to the non-french viewers as the movie was going on. This updated version is done very well and, I am still to this day saddened and haunted by this young lady's tragic life story. Even in this day and age where we see and hear about so many neglected and abused children(because it was not talked about in those days) this story still stays with me.........

I really want to give a 10 out of 10 on this movie! But unfortunately I can't. This is a great movie that lacks just a little something. That little something is violence. No I'm not a sadist and I don't like violence in films, but this is a movie about torture and we don't see any of it. It's only implied. It's sad to say, but this story isn't complete without it. Having the camera pan off while we hear Aurore being tortured made this movie miss something. It almost made it appear cheesy. They could easily have had the audience squirming in their seats had they shown just a tiny glimpse of the crazy torture that La marâtre imposed on Aurore. I just feel it would have been a bit more realistic had they shown a tiny bit of it.

Hélène Bourgeois-Leclerc did a MAGNIFICENT job interpreting the evil step-mother. Actually, she's not evil, she's crazy. Hélène definitely carries the whole movie! I actually felt sorry for her because she's so demented. I hated the step-mother in the original film because she was just plain mean and enjoyed torturing Aurore. But in this new version Hélène made the character out to be more human. She actually believed that by torturing, hum, I mean disciplining Aurore she was fulfilling her duties as a parent. In her mind she wasn't doing it to be mean. She didn't mean to kill Aurore and the other kids. She's just so totally crazy, that's all. It was an excellent job on Hélène's part! Bravo Hélène!!

I had no feelings towards the father in the original movie, but found myself surprised to be hating the father, Thélesphore Gagnon, in this movie. I've liked Serge Postigo in everything he's done in the past. This is the first time I hate his character. He did an excellent job in this movie! Bravo Serge!

And what can I say about Marianne Fortier who played "Aurore". Those EYES! My goodness! The child acts with her eyes! Beautiful job for her first time around! And I'm not saying that because we share the same family name.

The rest of the actors were really good. As usual. We all know and love all of them from so many roles in other movies and from TV.

I just hope that the powers that be are smart enough this time around with the DVD to remove their blinders for once and think beyond the borders of the province of Quebec by dubbing the movie in English, so others who don't speak French in Canada and the US can enjoy this beautiful gem of a movie.

Great film! Go see it! Well worth it!

PS: Aug/05; I went to see Aurore for a second time. It was ever better the second time around! Dec/05; I now have the DVD and have watched it several times. I love it more and more every time I see it!

in my small town, we Rarely get french movies. When i saw Aurore was playing, i got my friends together and we went out to see it, basically to support a french movie being in theaters. At first i wasn't sure weather i was going to like it or not, but i ended up getting super involved in the film, and loved it. By the end of the movie there wasn't a person in the theater that wasn't either crying or swearing under their breath. It is a touching story, and is Wonderfully acted out! ITs a true story on top of that... horrible. Anyway, i definitely say its worth watching it, even if it draws a few tears.

Erica

Between this one and the original; this version is excellent in every way. I went to see it at the cinema when it came out and now I own it on DVD and can't get enough of it. I watch it at least once a week. Every time I watch it, I can't help but feel so bad for the little girl who goes through so much abuse by her stepmother and her very own father. It's so sad and such a tragedy is still going on today in this world as we speak. Unfortunately, this problem will always be a huge problem. We should try harder to work together; to stop this from going on everywhere in this world. "Let's Stop The Violence" now before it's too late. How many more children have to suffer and die; and at such a young age too?? They don't deserve to be treated like this; nobody does. So, let's work together to put an end to it once and for all.