Pauline et Paulette

I rented this movie based on that it had won some awards at festivals. I did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. The acting was good. It did not make a significant statement, but that is what I liked about it. It was quaint, touching... a good film.

I never expected much of this film although it was a Belgian picture and it had gained some reasonable success in (and even outside) Belgium. When I went to see it, I got what I thought I would get.

"Pauline en Paulette" is not a bad movie, but it has its flaws. First of all, the film doesn't provide any fresh material. It's a mix of some of the better 'retarded-movies' Hollywood has given us throughout the years: "Rain man", "Awakenings" and "What's eating Gilbert Grape". Especially the Leonardo DiCaprio film has some serious similarities with this one here. In both films, the autistic person is not always welcome and does not always get the required attention and caring. So, the story had been used before.

The acting was pretty good and the classical music within the film was a nice and fresh change. I respect this film for it is a Belgian one (and Belgian films are always low-budget), but it simply didn't get to me. I watched it, but I never felt anything. I couldn't care less about the characters. The fact that three old women take the lead might have something to do with it, but I think it's mainly because the whole film is so monotonous. And the few jokes can't help refreshing the gloomy script. Still, I stayed seated and underwent the film.

Not bad for a debut, but with a more original storyline and more colorful characters, this film might have been truly worth-watching.

I just saw this film at the European Union Film Festival at the American Film Institute. It is a brilliant film with a deeply moving story line. The acting is uniformly excellent. Dora van der Groen is so convincing in her role, I could almost believe that she truly is retarded. Ann Petersen as Paulette does a brilliant job as a deeply conflicted sister who is suddenly faced with a decision about what is important in life. The use of music in the film to emphasize the beautiful but limited world in which Pauline lives is very effective. I went with a small group of friends and everyone agreed that the film was sweet and beautiful. Highly Recommended. 10 out of 10.

I saw previews for this film and it caught my eye, so I rented the DVD. It was extremely well acted, especially by Dora van der Groen as Pauline. It had funny moments, and also true-to-life moments. It wasn't earth shattering, but it was very touching. I also enjoyed the director's commentary on the DVD. He talked about the decisions made, especially the use of color, and how long it took to get the film made - 4 years! It really was a labor of love. If you need heart-wrenching drama or action, this isn't the film for you, but if you appreciate good acting and scenes that touch your heart, I highly recommend this one!

This film is a subtle charmer. The acting is wonderful and worth watching several times, especially the character of Pauline and how she interacts with all the other characters of the film. Watch her eyes. An amazing portrayal. While the plot may seem simplistic to some viewers, it is not without its own form of dramatic tension and compelling comedy. The colors of the sets are interesting in conjunction with the character development. The music chosen for each scene is interesting and idiosyncratic. I was reminded of the Norwegian film "Elling," as well as some elements of the Canadian film "Strangers in Good Company." All these films have a real breath of fresh air that is palpable.