Mozart's Sister (2011)

74% of critics liked it
(58 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(1,475 ratings)

A speculative account of Maria Anna "Nannerl" Mozart (Marie Feret), five years older than Wolfgang (David Moreau) and a musical prodigy in her own right. Originally the featured performer, she has given way to Wolfgang as the main attraction, as their strict but loving father Leopold (Marc Barbe)… More A speculative account of Maria Anna "Nannerl" Mozart (Marie Feret), five years older than Wolfgang (David Moreau) and a musical prodigy in her own right. Originally the featured performer, she has given way to Wolfgang as the main attraction, as their strict but loving father Leopold (Marc Barbe) 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 an alternative. -- (C) Music Box

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr.
Directed By: Rene Feret
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Aug 19, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Feb 14, 2012
Studio: Music Box Films

Critic Reviews

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
A meandering but transporting journey, which offers glimpses of a world as resplendent as it is stifling.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
The music, of course, resonates. And so does this exquisite heartbreaker of a story.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
An alternately rapturous and frustrating experience.
Tom Long, Detroit News
This is a sad story in rich surroundings that makes you wonder how many women of genius were left behind.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
Nannerl is an intelligent and appealing girl who wages a dignified struggle against what turns out to be insurmountable barriers.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie is an uncommonly knowledgeable portrait of the way musical gifts could lift people of ordinary backgrounds into high circles.
Philip French, Observer [UK]
A well-designed, tasteful affair.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
The exchanges between Louise and Nannerl are sometimes laborious, even stilted. Making the casting of these two characters a family affair was probably not the best idea.
Antonia Quirke, Financial Times
You feel the Mozart of Peter Schaffer's Amadeus could easily have emerged from this squabbling, loving, pressurised unit.
Davina Quinlivan, Little White Lies
Provokes some fascinating questions about history's also-rans and the evolution of feminism, plus Marie Feret delivers a charming performance in the title role.
Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express
It's handsome looking but stilted and pointless.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Mozart's Sister tells a heart-breaking story and is heightened by strong performances, impressive production design and a superb score...
Trevor Johnston, Time Out
Gilded authentic locations and restrained performances provide an effective setting for Féret's theory about Nannerl's talent being stifled by conventions.
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
An expertly forged alt.history with a refreshingly tough female lead. Good tunes, too.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
"Amadeus" is glitzier and gets all the attention, but "Mozart's Sister," like its ignored namesake, is also aesthetically pleasing . . . just on a different level.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
It's not clear, however, what it is that René Féret wants to tell us about Nannerl.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
A lovely, quietly affecting film that's as much a feast for the ear as for the eye, while not ignoring the brain.
Molly Eichel, Philadelphia Daily News
Nannerl is clearly a woman repressed, but Feret gives this potentially great woman no life, no spark.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A good film. But as drama, it falls a little shy of the mark.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Rico Z

I loved every minute of this romantic portrayal of one history's lesser-known geniuses. The film poses lots of questions about the origin of talent; the will to fight in its defense; and the way your talent is perceived because of your gender. A great performance by capable youth… More
I loved every minute of this romantic portrayal of one history's lesser-known geniuses. The film poses lots of questions about the origin of talent; the will to fight in its defense; and the way your talent is perceived because of your gender. A great performance by capable youth Marie Féret, in the title role.