Pauline & Paulette (2002)
-
83% of critics liked it
(53 reviews) -
81% of users liked it
(667 ratings)
An elderly woman who can't take care of herself becomes the center of a family squabble in this moving drama. Pauline (Dora van der Groen) is a severely retarded woman who, at the age of 66, cannot read, speak in complete sentences, or even tie her own shoes. Despite her handicap, Pauline is… More An elderly woman who can't take care of herself becomes the center of a family squabble in this moving drama. Pauline (Dora van der Groen) is a severely retarded woman who, at the age of 66, cannot read, speak in complete sentences, or even tie her own shoes. Despite her handicap, Pauline is happy, and can run simple errands; she lives with her older sister Martha (Julienne De Bruyn), but Pauline has always been especially fond of one of her other siblings, Paulette (Ann Petersen), and Pauline would gladly spend the day puttering around Paulette's sewing supplies store if Martha didn't stop her. When Martha dies, Paulette and another sibling, Cecile (Rosemarie Bergmans), discover Martha's will stipulates that if one of the surviving sisters will take in Pauline and care for her, her money will be evenly divided three ways between Pauline, Paulette, and Cecile -- but if she's given to others or placed in a home, the entire inheritance will go to Pauline. Paulette reluctantly agrees to take in her sister, but her compassion soon proves to be in short supply as she begins hatching a plan to close down her shop and move away, leaving Pauline behind. Pauline et Paulette was the first feature film from director Lieven Debrauwer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Lieven Debrauwer
- Written By
- Lieven Debrauwer, Jacques Boon
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Mar 15, 2002 Limited
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
-
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
A moving tale of love and destruction in unexpected places, unexamined lives.
-
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
It's rare to find a film to which the adjective 'gentle' applies, but the word perfectly describes Pauline & Paulette.
-
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
The acting in Pauline And Paulette is good all round, but what really sets the film apart is Debrauwer's refusal to push the easy emotional buttons.
-
Ray Conlogue, Globe and Mail
Although there's nothing profound about Pauline and Paulette, it does have a few memorably sly digs at the kinds of things we believe to be profound.
-
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Simple, poignant and leavened with humor, it's a film that affirms the nourishing aspects of love and companionship.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Dora van der Groen
as Pauline
-
Ann Petersen
as Paulette
-
Rosemarie Bergmans
as Cecile
-
Idwig Stephane
as Albert
-
Julienne De Bruyn
as Martha
- François Beukelaers
- Camilia Blereau
- Nand Buyl
