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Movies / On DVD / Pauline and Paulette
Pauline and Paulette

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Pauline and Paulette (2002)

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83 %
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Reviews Counted: 53

Fresh: 44

Rotten:9

Average Rating: 6.9/10

Consensus: Pauline and Paulette is a gently poignant, compassionate tale.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for brief language

Runtime: 78 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:Mar 15, 2002 Limited

Synopsis: Pauline and Paulette is a delightfully bittersweet story of four elderly sisters and their relationship with each other. For Pauline (Belgium's national treasure, Dora van der Groen), life is... Pauline and Paulette is a delightfully bittersweet story of four elderly sisters and their relationship with each other. For Pauline (Belgium's national treasure, Dora van der Groen), life is simple. She lives with Martha (Julienne De Bruyn), the eldest of her four sisters, in a small town between Brussels and the seacoast. Martha loves Pauline, and cares for her day in and day out.

Pauline has a love for flowers and enjoys running errands in town for her sister Paulette (Ann Petersen) -- her idol. Paulette owns a fabric store in town, but her grand passion is performing at the opera house. When Martha suddenly dies, everyone's world is turned upside down.

Neither Paulette or their youngest sister Cecile (Rosemarie Bergmans), who lives in Brussels with her French boyfriend (Idwig Stephane), feel their lives can include the responsibility of caring for their simple minded sister. While both are in agreement to commit Pauline to a nursing home, Martha ultimately dictates the final world, stipulating in her will that all her worldly possessions would go to the three surviving sisters on the condition that one of them care for Pauline.

"Pauline and Paulette," was a selection of the Director's Fortnight at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival. This film is uniting for the first time on film together two of Belgium's greatest actresses, Dora van der Groen, and Ann Petersen. Making his feature film directorial debut is director and co-writer Lieven Debrauwer, who based the story on his childhood memories which were so vivid, he wanted to bring them to the silver screen. -- © Sony Pictures Classics [More]

Starring: Dora Van Der Groen, Ann Petersen, Rosemarie Bergmans, Idwig Stephane

Starring: Dora Van Der Groen, Ann Petersen, Rosemarie Bergmans, Idwig Stephane

Director: Lieven Debrauwer

Director: Lieven Debrauwer
Screenwriter: Lieven Debrauwer, Jacques Boon
Producer: Dominique Janne
Composer: Frederic Devreese
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Aug 13, 2002

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Pauline and Paulette

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Time Out

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
07/07/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
10/19/04
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
12/15/03
Alexander Walker
This is London

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/24/02
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

About as satisfying and predictable as the fare at your local drive through.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
12/05/02
Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
10/10/02
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
09/18/02
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

Lovely Beligian film about a mentally challenged sixty-six year old woman who tutors all those around her in wide-eyed wonder.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
09/01/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

A small gem from Belgium.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
08/28/02
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
08/12/02
Paul Malcolm
L.A. Weekly
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
08/09/02
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A moving tale of love and destruction in unexpected places, unexamined lives.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
07/20/02
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The film hinges on its performances, and both leads are up to the task.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
07/05/02
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
06/28/02
Arizona Republic
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Writer-director Debrauwer does manage to wrap things up in an ***-pleasing 78 minutes. It's isn't much, but it's a lot more than callous Callie Khouri did with that "Ya-Ya" mess. Also, there are no irritating hats.

Full Review Source: Planet Sick-Boy | comment Comment
06/21/02
Jon Popick
Planet Sick-Boy

A poignant tale of sisterly love and aging.

Full Review Source: Des Moines Register | comment Comment
06/07/02
Jeffrey Bruner
Des Moines Register
 
 
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