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Pauline and Paulette

EMAILPRINTSony Pictures Classics

Pauline and Paulette reviews
70
8.8 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 23 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 5 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama

Written by: Jaak Boon
Lieven Debrauwer

Directed by: Lieven Debrauwer

Release Date:
Theatrical: March 15, 2002
DVD: August 13, 2002

Running Time: 78 minutes, Color

Origin: Belgium / France / Netherlands

Language(s): Flemish (with English subtitles)

Summary

RATING: PG for brief language

Starring Dora van der Groen, Ann Petersen, Rosemarie Bergmans, Idwig Stephane, Julienne De Bruyn, Camilia Blereau, François Beukelaers, and Nand Buyl

A delightfully bittersweet story of four elderly sisters and their relationship with each other. (Sony Pictures Classics)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90

Washington Post Desson Thomson

In this good-natured film, even the smallest efforts at kindness yield positive results.

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83

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

At the end, you're refreshed, like Pauline after she swallows an entire soft drink in one gulp, and it feels terrific.

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80

New Times (L.A.) Bill Gallo

Disturbing, beautifully acted movie.

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80

Variety Lisa Nesselson

Heartfelt and heart-rending performances make all the difference in Pauline and Paulette, a delightfully bittersweet story.

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80

Village Voice Leslie Camhi

Without condescension, Debrauwer offers comic glimpses into their separate dreams of grandeur, but he lets Pauline's touching simplicity unite them.

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80

The New York Times Dana Stevens

Rather than assaulting you with self-congratulatory tears, it leaves you with a bittersweet glow of wisdom and an appreciation of the small triumphs and difficult labors of love.

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80

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

This beguiling Belgian fable, very much its own droll and delicate little film, has some touching things to say about what is important in life and why.

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80

Chicago Reader Barbara Scharres

Might easily have been mawkish; instead it has a light comic edge and a dignity built on the fine characterization of Pauline.

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75

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

It's a moving tale of love and destruction in unexpected places, unexamined lives.

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75

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Debrauwer brings crisp conviction to what might have been an overly sentimental tale, filming it with a straightforward style and good-natured sincerity that ring consistently true.

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75

Seattle Post-Intelligencer William Arnold

With a steady eye and a warm (but never overtly sentimental) heart, it explores a territory where few movies have ventured before.

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75

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

Simple, poignant and leavened with humor, it's a film that affirms the nourishing aspects of love and companionship.

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75

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Ray Conlogue

What a graceful movie this is.

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75

San Francisco Chronicle Edward Guthmann

van der Groen, described as "Belgium's national treasure," is especially terrific as Pauline.

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75

New York Post V.A. Musetto

They take a mundane story and give it emotional resonance.

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75

Boston Globe Jay Carr

Sentimental and has its heart on its sleeve, but never heavy-handedly so, and its delicacy and tenderness will get to you if you give it half a chance.

75

New York Daily News Jack Mathews

Plumbs the issue of sibling love and family responsibility in quietly powerful ways, and the performances of the two stars surpass convincing to reach a level of biographical realism.

70

LA Weekly Paul Malcolm

The film's plainness, and the understated force of van der Groen and Petersen's performances, sharpen its complexity of feeling until all mawkishness is cut away.

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70

TV Guide Ken Fox

The result is something truly special.

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67

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

A small-scale pleasure, a movie that truly stops and smells the roses.

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50

Miami Herald Marta Barber

With touches of humor throughout, the gentle and peaceful film never becomes depressing or sad.

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30

Washington Post Ann Hornaday

There is something disturbing about yet another iteration of what's become one of the movies' creepiest conventions, in which the developmentally disabled are portrayed with almost supernatural powers to humble, teach and ultimately redeem their mentally "superior" (read: morally inferior) friends, family and acquaintances.

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20

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

Debrauwer's characterization is as sharp and incisive as a butter knife.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Earl M. gave it a9:
A wonderful little movie with great performances by the lead actresses.

Leslie H. gave it a 9:
Un-sentimental, but touching anyway.

CG gave it a 7:
If you want to lean back and relax, this movie is a good one for that. The characters have qualities that are both exasperating and endearing making them really come alive. The subtitles are no problem. The movie is easy to follow.

Michele B. gave it a 9:
Amazing!!

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