User reviews

I commonly feel that too much attention is paid to the semantics of what I consider to be "convenient designations" for complex conceptions (i.e. handicapped, disabled) but after reading various journal articles regarding the power of metaphorical language, I have come to pay much closer attention to the use of language. In the summary, the reviewer refers to Julia as being trapped inside of a twisted body. This opening statement struck me nearly as much as the opening scene of the movie. For someone to label a body as 'twisted' not only idealizes a certain conception of the physical body, but also disempowers any person with any type of physical disability or difference from the 'normal.' This metaphor devalues and insults human beings and at the same time sets up inescapable prison bars on the other side of which lie acceptance. This language is in fact powerful, and some metaphors are more than simply, "convenient designations."

What an excellent film. I had the opportunity to see it at Roger Ebert's overlooked film festival in Champaign, Illinois on April 22, 1999. It at this time does not have a distributor in the United States. This is unfortunate because the film is so much better than much of the crap we make here in the US. Heather Rose's performance is heartwarming and I fortunately was able to see her as a guest on the panel after the film was shown. She helped write and direct this movie and is only able to speak through a computer voice machine. The film is about the character she plays and how she is dependent on someone to care for her constantly because she is unable to do anything for herself. She unfortunately is abused by her caretaker. This is something that happens in the US (the film takes place in Australia) too often and this is a reason why this film should be shown in as many theatres as possible to raise awareness of this problem. I'm fortunate to have seen it and not wanting to give much of it away I will only say that I think it is something many people would get a lot out of.

Although quite difficult to watch because of some of the violence, it is a very realistic portrait of a young handicapped girl and her care-giver. Having taught children and adolescents with these kinds of handicaps, I and my wife were completely enthralled and could not leave our TV screen. Yes we winced at some of the violence and hoped for a good ending, but this is a must movie. Ironically, this kind or movie does not show up on English TV but was shown on Canada's French language "life" network! What a pleasure! An excellent picture. Oh, I forgot... the movie, even though shown on a French language network, was not dubbed, so if you wish to view this excellent picture, please watch "Aime-moi telle que je suis". An experience you won't forget!

A strange, compelling film about a topic we never hear much about. Severely disabled people don't have a voice in our cultural landscape. Like in other films, De Heer manages to tackle topics in ways which are confronting and innovative, such as the way the microphones on Rose's body pick up her body's sounds and give us a very subjective view of her physicality. The script was mostly written by Heather Rose, who played the main role and sadly passed away a few years after the film was made. Apparently she wrote the script together with another severely disabled writer on an early bulletin board (pre-internet) The film is challenging, provocative and has surprising moments of humour.

Isn't creativity and innovation what the art of film-making should be about? Check out other De Heer movies, too, they're all different from each other. B. Huber

I saw this film at the Telluride film festival in 98 or 99. This film has never left me. Making critical comments on this film is simply foolish. The director and Heather filmed this film over a 5 year period due to the physical limitations of the writer/actress. This was a labor of love and inspiration. This was a project that stunningly provides an impeccable vision into a kind of life that is led by some of our fellow human beings that the rest of us would prefer to deny. Some of the comments have indicated that they were uncomfortable or that they did not get it or they didn't not care for the gratuitous moments of the film. Well tough. This is reality, the pain of body, mind and spirit and the conquering of these trials by a monumental demonstration of power, creativity and fortitude that those of us defined as "normal" can not hope to understand or match. This film is a must see for any young person or adult who wants or needs an amazing reality check. This film is a vehicle to tell a story of freedom and unquenched intellect trapped but not surrendered.

Rolf de Heer is a brave director, as those who've seen Bad Boy Bubby and The Quiet Room will know. In this film he braves the sensitive subject of cerebral palsy. Julia, a severe sufferer, is bound to her wheeelchair and can only communicate via her voice machine. Her heartless carer Madeline, is downright cruel to her. When the kind and loving Eddie enters Julia's life a strange menage a trois begins, but not quite as you would imagine. The film avoids mawkish sentimentality, and is a tribute to the triumph of the human spirit. Julia's strengths and weaknesses are all on display, as well as her sharp wit. Heather Rose who plays Julia also wrote the screenplay and gives us a unique insight into her world. This new Australian film is a must for anyone who wants to be confronted and amazed by a subject not often tackled on screen.

It seems everyone is raving about this film, the reviewers are gushing, there's effusive articles in Who Weekly, Cannes was agog - am I the only one who did not enjoy it? Don't get me wrong, I'm not some inhumane, able-bodied bastard/bitch, I just didn't think the film was a good one. Why was Eddie's character not explored to it's full capacity? Who the hell was phoning him at Julia's house and why? Where was he on his way to when Julia cut in front of him? Was he a baddie with a heart of gold? Why was Madelaine such a two-dimensional character? I just found the whole thing exhausting, laborious and with too many under-explored characters left floating aimlessly. If it was so good why wasn't it nominated for more AFI awards? Nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress (Rena Owen), it won neither. Perhaps it is a case of the Emperor's New Clothes with this film.

"Admirable" and "courageous" are two words that come to mind while watching "Dance Me to My Song." "Frank," "candid" and "uncompromising" can also be used to describe this Australian film about Julia, a woman with a severe form of cerebral palsy that prevents her from doing the most basic things, like getting dressed or going to the bathroom. She's played by Heather Rose, who really is afflicted with cerebral palsy, and who co-wrote the script. (I'll admit feeling acutely uncomfortable at times watching Rose's Julia as she writhes and contorts while making gurgling noises - I'm sure that says a lot more about me than the film or Ms. Rose.)

I saw this movie at the American Film Institute in Washington, D.C. (where it was shown as part of FilmFest DC '99). "Dance Me to My Song" deserves a lot of credit for refusing to blink at Julia's condition. We see her completely undressed; Julia's nakedness conveys her vulnerability without being the least bit prurient or exploitive. Julia is very much at the mercy of Madelaine, her latest assigned caregiver. And it quickly becomes apparent that Madelaine is an extremely selfish person who has no business caring for Julia or anyone else. How she uses - and abuses - Julia is at the core of this drama. Also figuring prominently in the plot is a rather mysterious man named Eddie, whom Julia manages to befriend after comically blocking his path with her motorized wheelchair.

As straightforward and unpretentious as this film is, one thing it's not is... terribly complicated. I'm hard-pressed to think of any scene where it isn't abundantly clear how we're supposed to react; everything is so clear-cut. This scene will make you smile, that one will make you shed a tear, this one will make you laugh, and that one will make you want to shout in anger. The film falls short of true greatness, IMHO, by making Madelaine a near-total witch. There are a few attempts at making Madelaine a more three-dimensional character (including a scene in which she sits by herself and cries), but in the end, it's apparent that we're just supposed to hate her. Further stacking the deck are visits from a woman named Rix, one of Julia's former caregivers who's meant to be every bit as wonderful as Madelaine is horrible. (When Madelaine gets a form of comeuppance from Rix, it's as if the audience is expected to cheer. The AFI audience didn't.) Viewers might rightly wonder: If Madelaine is so awful, why doesn't Julia get rid of her? We get something of an explanation fairly late in the film - it's implied that caregivers are hard to come by, which suggests a lot of borderlines slip through - but it doesn't really explain why Julia tolerates as much ill treatment as she does. (The movie is too preoccupied with making Julia out to be a total victim to consider the possibility of an abuser-enabler relationship.)

Also - and I think this is a legitimate point - for all the time we spend with her, I don't feel as though we get to know Julia all that well (unlike, say, the way I think we become acquainted with Daniel Day-Lewis' Christy Brown in "My Left Foot"). Part of this may have to do with the fact that Julia (and, I assume, Heather Rose) lacks the power of speech (unlike Christy Brown), and must rely on a "voice machine" to synthesize simple spoken sentences. I mourn as a lost opportunity a scene in which Eddie reads a lengthy message that Julia has left on the screen of her personal computer, a message which must have required a Herculean effort on Julia's part to type out. The camera sweeps past the monitor; we can only pick out a few phrases. (The gist of the message is summarized by the film's title.) This was our best chance to experience Julia's inner voice at length, and the movie skips over it.

Still, "Dance Me to My Song" is a strongly acted film, very much worth seeing.

A remarkable film which stays with you long after you leave the theatre

The story was so slow and maybe thats what the director wanted to portray reality. What can you expect from a woman in her condition. Gratuitous nudity and totally far fetched plot. The main male character was not realised with regard to where he went and why he had so many caller at her home.

It appears that previous reviewers have failed to pick up upon a central theme of this unique film. Why didn't Julia just get rid of Madeline, they say? ... cardboard characters and doesn't make any sense, they say ... must be because good housekeepers are hard to come by, they say.

Of course this is a crude simplification, and what they have missed is that Julia, despite her crippling physical disability, was able to empathise with Madeline's hopelessness and despair and through a sense of unreciprocated friendship and sense of duty, refused to cut the relationship short. This is evidenced in two key scenes: Firstly, in the initial abandonment scene, there is a lingering shot of the emergency button as Julia contemplates pressing it. Later, as a post date rape follow-up, Madeline cuddles Julia and looks to her for support in bed, where a careful eye should read the compassion in Julia's face. To me this exemplifies the most compelling aspect of the film, namely, Madeline, despite her good looks and seductive sexuality, was the emotional cripple juxtaposed with the warmth and love of life displayed by Julia.

This film has given me a new perspective ...

Ok, I did the whole nine yards:saw LONDON, the PALACE( did not meet the Queen)Saw the sights and heard the sounds, met wonderful people and saw a great movie at the Festival. Dance Me To My Song is unforgettable, mesmerising, thought provoking and emotionally charged.

Story of ulia is played by Heather Rose, a cerebral palsy sufferer/co-writer. She keeps your attention hooked with the aid of her emotional nemesis Madeline, played by Joey Kennedy. This movie is a must see and makes a refreshing change from what we suffer in our local theaters. Initially, a tad slow to begin with the movie picks up remarkable pace and energy as all the characters come to the fore front and yes I said characters because this is one movie where the director, Rolf De Heer has not sacrificed his characters to the gods of money or editing. Look out for the touching cameo by the brilliant Rena Owen.

The direction is great. Currently I am busy locating other Rolf De Heer movies like Bad Boy Bubby. Another great Australian director.

this is a must see movie.