The Thorn in the Heart

The Thorn in the Heart (2010)

  • 53% of critics liked it
    (30 reviews)

  • 52% of users liked it
    (380 ratings)

Filmmaker Michel Gondry turns from the playful semi-surrealism of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep to the personal story of a beloved family member in this documentary. Suzette Gondry is Michel's aunt and a retired schoolteacher; she educated children in rural… More

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Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By
Michel Gondry
Written By
Michel Gondry
Genres
Documentary, Special Interest
In Theaters
Apr 2, 2010 Wide
On DVD
Aug 10, 2010
Oscilloscope Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times

    Brimming with affection and beautifully shot, but it builds a flimsy case for why it matters.

  • David Edelstein, New York Magazine

    This is an extraordinary film.

  • Mike Hale, New York Times

    As Mr. Gondry unfolds the story of her life, and of her inability to connect with the son she sees as weak, you can understand why it would consume a familyâ(TM)s interest, but youâ(TM)re not sure why he thought it would pique ours.

  • V.A. Musetto, New York Post

    The film is well-constructed, as one would expect from Gondry, but it offers little reason for anyone outside the family circle to care about dear old Tante Suzette.

  • Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

    You can see that he meant it to be a toasty slice of nostalgia - and for Gondry, it surely is. For us, The Thorn in the Heart is more like a home movie of a family reunion we weren't invited to.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Walter M


    "The Thorn in the Heart" is a documentary from Michel Gondry about his aunt Suzette, concentrating on her teaching career and the people whose lives she has touched over the decades. Just because the material is slight does not stop Gondry from using it to explore some of… More

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