The Bélier Family

The Béliers are a pretty different family. They're deaf and mute. They live in the countryside and they are a loving family with two children. With one caveat: their daughter is their ears and voice.

As French cinema goes, this film is at its best. The performances, and the whole idea behind the film is so deep and so original, it will make you think twice about life.

It's pretty difficult for me to restrain on accolades and praise. The writers, the director, the crew and each and every actor on this piece are a team out of the ordinary. I mean, a film like this is what makes film making and story telling worth it. As it happens more often than not, French cinema is on the top list of the best films in the world. Sadly for those who expect lots of action, the French rarely oblige. They go deep into the soul of their characters. This is not a cute film, this is a serious work of art that transcends beliefs, races and countries. I would put it as one of those films not to be missed. Chapeau!

You want to watch the traditional super production, with special effects, super heroes, stunts, multi locations, etc.? then this is not the movie you are looking for. This great movie goes to the essence of a nice, loving, great family, who deal with human feelings in the most real, natural and believable way. A movie that will leave a great flavor. 100% worth to watch! Great acting, direction, photography, and of course, the soul of every movie, the script. More movies like this which show the bright side of life are needed, vs. the cinema that shows the sad reality of violence, crime, and stress. This last line is to fulfill the 10 lines required for a review. ;)

In a few words this movie is a real masterpiece. It is able to 'broadcast' so many beautiful messages via a surprising good sense of humor.

It places the viewer in the position of various characters living a completely different life and facing controversial problems. And all that is accomplished in a real comedy way..

I have never thought what it feels like to be deaf, this movie allowed me to 'live' that situation for a few minutes.

Isn't that the real meaning of filming? Placing viewers to positions that they couldn't be placed in real life..?

I adored this film for another reason too.. It shows to all of us that you can still film a masterpiece with a tight budget.

It seems that good filming isn't the exclusive privilege of wealthy productions. Budget in filming is like money in life.. it makes things easier but it doesn't guarantee success.

Well done my French friends, "Bravo" I shall be watching you!

George P.

Don't expect to be blown away by this movie but expect an enjoyable time. Aside from a very TV movie like look and feel, this flick has got all the ingredients to make for a good watch: the main one being the plot. The moment you hear about it, you can't help but feel curious about it. A girl whose parents are deaf discovers that she has a gift of singing…And obviously her parents don't know or could not appreciate it…

As yo can suspect, she suddenly finds herself confronting a strange situation where she needs to decide if she is to stay with her family and continue with her school and farm life, or if she should move to Paris instead and pursue a singing career eventually.

In the other hand, the acting is not the best if you are a bit picky, but then it's true that playing a deaf person is probably not that easy (the Father is not deaf in real life). Also, some characters are a little too farcical in my opinion. But this movie is not made to be perfect, it's just designed to work well and be enjoyable and that's exactly what you get.

I enjoyed it and I am sure you will.

After the streak of french blockbuster comedies (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, Intouchables, Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu?) I had the impression that this one was a comedy too - but it's much more a sweet coming-of-age story, with some very funny moments thrown in. Plus there are some elements of the choir-film sub-genre - good choice, the human voice brings much emotion to the film.

Paula (played adorably by Louane Emera in I think her first feature) is the girl who is faced with the difficult decision - take the step from her family's farm and arms out into the world (= Paris, to work on her beautiful voice), or stay at home with them?

This is made more difficult by the fact that her parents and brother are all deaf-mute, so she feels very responsible (which means, of course, that she's making it difficult for herself, since, as her teacher points out - what were they doing before she was born?!). Thrown in is a little love story - which stays very background, surprising in a coming-of-age story but a good choice, because the film is all about Paula's step away from her family, not about the discovery of boys.

The deaf-mute theme is used for some gags, and to make it harder for Paula, but where it works best is in two scenes towards the end, none of them comedic but both very touching - in both cases it's about how the parents can (or can't) enjoy her daughters singing, an in both cases director/writer Eric Lartigau found perfect and satisfying solutions how to present this on screen - I don't want to spoil those scenes but you'll know what I mean when you see it.

The only weaknesses of this film are some small unexplored (and therefor unnecessary) side plots, and maybe an overplaying of the deaf-mute thing for comical effect which takes away some realism (needing an interpreter for the news on TV? really?) - but overall, highly recommended!