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Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics What's this?

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Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: Written, directed and produced by René Féret, Mozart's Sister is a re-imagined account of the early life of Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart, five years older than Wolfgang and a musical prodigy in her own right. Originally the featured performer, Nannerl has given way to Wolfgang as the main attin attraction, as their strict but loving father Leopold tours his talented offspring in front of the royal courts of pre-French revolution Europe. Approaching marriageable age and now forbidden to play the violin or compose, Nannerl chafes at the limitations imposed on her gender. But a friendship with the son and daughter of Louis XV offers her ways to challenge the established sexual and social order. (Music Box Films) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Reviewed by: Sheri Linden
    Aug 18, 2011
    90
    A handsome and achingly sad period piece, a finely observed portrait of cast-aside dreams. The drama is quieter and more chaste than the similarly themed "Camille Claudel," but no less haunting.
  2. Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    Aug 18, 2011
    80
    A work of fiction, Mr. Féret's film is ardent in its inventions, modest in scale, playful in its speculations about Nannerl's influence on her brother's music, and graced by the filmmaker's daughter, Marie Féret, in the title role.
  3. Reviewed by: Steven Rea
    Nov 3, 2011
    75
    The music, of course, resonates. And so does this exquisite heartbreaker of a story.
  4. Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    Aug 19, 2011
    60
    Marie Féret struggles to hold the film's center throughout, but there's more than enough to distract us, from transcendent music to sumptuous costumes and sets.

See all 22 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 1 out of 3
  1. David Moreau supplies a different Wolfgang than the one we remember so clearly by Tom Hulce in "Amadeus". He is younger, rounder-faced, more angelic, more childish. As he and his sister have a pillow fight, all of the mystique evaporates from the notion of being a "great composer." Through some happy chance, the child and man who created such bountiful music in so many styles and fashions was motivated by sheer enjoyment of the gift he had been given. It is one of those lives that makes you wonder at the glory of men. Not so much at the opportunities of women. Expand
  2. It's a good movie, but it just plods along at too slow of a pace in it's second half for me to give it a higher score. Marie Feret is outstanding as Nannerl Mozart - she can absolutely carry the film. It's a very subtle piece of art - nothing clubs you over the head . Her brother Wolfgang is not overplayed, and her parents are not extreme in their denying her artistic opportunities. These are facts of life for women of the age. It simply could have used a bit more drama to the viewer in, but I, nevertheless, admire the work. Expand
  3. What an interesting theme-how did the others in Mozart's family handle his talent and fame? Based on true accounts made it more alluring. But alas, once again, the French treatment is poor. It's mind boggling how the recent spate of French films get such high marks. The lead is very poor, unable to carry what should be her film. She is unconvincing at times, hard to hear, even incoherent. This character must touch me or the film is worthless. She didn't and the film is. I did do the dreaded FFWD stopping at places to see if it picked up, but no luck. The father was strong but others just fair. Expand

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