christ-7

this amazing film. I just have one comment. Another reviewer suggests that Nick slaps Mabel back to "lucidity" at the end of the film, and that this is not believable. I submit that she is still the same old Mabel, and that Nick's slap is an attempt to get some semblance of "normalcy." In other words, this normalcy is what Nick can live with, but make no mistake, nothing has really changed. And that, to me, is the beauty of the end of the film.

Usually with my favorite films (like this one) I want to talk about why I love it. But I feel the need to address some of the comments of other posters this time. Just because Harold is a spoiled rich kid, doesn't mean he doesn't need Maude's help. Did it ever occur to anyone that by helping Harold realize what life has to offer, that he might go on to help others and fight for worthwhile causes, like Maude herself did? Also, I think the criticism of flashing Maude's concentration camp number is misguided at best. I'm reminded of Martin Scorcese relating how his experiences in Little Italy shaped him. Her concentration camp experience obviously shaped her, but if they had been the only experiences that shaped her, this movie probably would have been a lot more like Rod Steiger in "The Pawnbroker" So just enjoy the wit and wisdom that Maude imparts on her short journey with Harold.

Another outstanding work from Denys Arcand! You definitely have to have a taste for dialogue-driven stuff for this, but if you have the patience you will be rewarded. In the first 20 minutes I thought it might be just another analysis of the male-female relationship dynamic. But it surprised me with a few twists and of course some outstanding acting. I can't believe this is the same Remy Girard from the Les Boys movies. BTW, this film IS available on DVD, as are many other Quebec films featured on IMDB, but not listed as available on DVD. You can usually find them at www.archambault.ca or better yet, travel to Montreal and go to the store on St. Catherine and Berri.