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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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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 rotten rating)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
04/15/02
Guardian [UK]
N/R

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Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Houston Chronicle
N/R

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Full Review Source: FilmFour.com | comment Comment
04/16/02
FilmFour.com
N/R

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Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
03/30/02
Boston Phoenix
N/R

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Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
06/28/02
Arizona Republic
N/R

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

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

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Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
05/13/02
Kim Linekin
Kim Linekin
eye WEEKLY
N/R

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Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
03/31/02
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
N/R

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

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

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

Yet another iteration of what's become one of the movies' creepiest conventions, in which the developmentally disabled are portrayed with almost supernatural powers to humble, teach and ultimately redeem their mentally "superior" friends, family...

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
04/12/02
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post

The only thing in Pauline and Paulette that you haven't seen before is a scene featuring a football field-sized Oriental rug crafted out of millions of vibrant flowers.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
05/23/02
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

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
Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide

Less a heartfelt appeal for the handicapped than a nice Belgian waffle.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
05/03/02
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

It is easy to watch, yet at the end, unsatisfying.

Full Review Source: Miami Herald | comment Comment
04/26/02
Marta Barber
Marta Barber
Miami Herald

... a nicely observed, certainly well-intentioned film, with a touching and heartfelt message, but it's also exceedingly slight and ultimately unremarkable.

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
03/15/02
Rod Armstrong
Rod Armstrong
Reel.com

The film is ultimately about as inspiring as a Hallmark card.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
04/13/02
Sarah D'Ambruoso
Sarah D'Ambruoso
PopMatters

Seek it out and nourish your beautiful mind.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
03/15/02
E! Online
 
 
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