critics consensus

Pauline and Paulette is a gently poignant, compassionate tale. Read critic reviews

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Pauline and Paulette Photos

Ann Petersen as Paulette and Dora Van Der Groen as Pauline.

View All Photos (9)

Movie Info

A delightfully bittersweet story of four elderly sisters and their relationship with each other. For Pauline (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. When Martha suddenly dies, everyone's world is turned upside down. Neither Paulette (Ann Petersen) or their youngest sister Cecile (Rosemarie Bergmans), feel they can be responsible for caring for their sister.

Rating:

PG (Brief Language)
Genre:

drama, comedy
Original Language:

Dutch
Director:

Lieven Debrauwer
Producer:

Dominique Janne
Writer:

Jaak Boon, Lieven Debrauwer
Release Date (Theaters):

Mar 15, 2002 wide
Box Office (Gross USA):

$139.5K
Runtime:

1h 18m
Production Co:

Buena Vista (Walt Disney)
Sound Mix:

Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio:

Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Dora van der Groen
Pauline

Ann Petersen
Paulette

Rosemarie Bergmans
Cecile

Idwig Stephane
Albert

Julienne De Bruyn
Martha

Francois Beukelaers
Directeur

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Pauline and Paulette

All Critics (54) | Top Critics (20) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (9)

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December 30, 2006 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

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

July 20, 2002 | Rating: 3/4

Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
It's rare to find a film to which the adjective 'gentle' applies, but the word perfectly describes Pauline & Paulette.

May 10, 2002 | Rating: 3/4

Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times
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.

May 3, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Peter Howell
Toronto Star
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.

May 3, 2002 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Ray Conlogue
Globe and Mail
Simple, poignant and leavened with humor, it's a film that affirms the nourishing aspects of love and companionship.

May 2, 2002 | Rating: 3/4

Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
If you only see one difficult-old-lady movie this year, well, this one's better than Iris.

January 30, 2018 | Full Review…

Mark Steyn
The Spectator
Quote not available.

December 6, 2005 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Film Threat
Quote not available.

July 7, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Quote not available.

October 19, 2004 | Rating: 3/5

Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
Quote not available.

December 24, 2002 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

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

December 5, 2002 | Rating: 51/100

Dan Jardine
Apollo Guide

View All Critic Reviews (54)

Audience Reviews for Pauline and Paulette

Sep 04, 2010

A wonderfully sweet and simple film, sentimental but never sappy. I found it completely absorbing thanks to outstanding performances and great art direction, I especially loved the use of colour. I have not come across a film that portrays someone that is mentally challenged (and their caregiver,) in a way that felt this authentic.

Laura C Super Reviewer
Aug 16, 2007

Endearing little film about an elderly amatuer opera diva who begrudgingly takes in her adoring mentally handicapped sister in order to fulfill her late sister's will, is the very definition of gentle. Simple yet magical, this beautifully rendered and sublimely acted Belgian confection is a feel good movie of the highest order. Simply wonderful.

Matthew L Super Reviewer