La famille bélier [Import]

A lot of raw emotion tempered by hilarity. Most people who like comedy/dramas would probably like this film. There is both sentimentality for those who are romantic at heart as well as vulgar humour for those who have flintier sensibilities. Likeable characters and well written script and concept... for those watching to improve their French: the spoken French is slightly above average in ease of understanding with clear pronunciation, but there are some regional words or slang that is hard to understand. (Of course, if you aren't interested in the French, the movie is subtitled.)

On one hand, it’s an ordinary story of a teenager who is torn between her family and the uncertain prospect of leaving them to pursue a dream. That’s just banal.On the other, there is depth arising from the unusual situation of the family, who are small farmers. Father, mother and brother are all profoundly deaf. The lass is the interpreter for them to the hearing world: she phones the bank, the vet, and nags suppliers, does the “word work” at the farmers’ market. It is a warm household, although inevitable misunderstandings arise, and Paula’s parents would be intensely embarrassing for any 17yrold, in their lack of linguistic inhibition.Like many children of new migrants, she has to go with them to the doctor, even when they have embarrassing ailments...I was however very moved when she sang in an audition and signed the song to her watching family. I’ve sometimes seen in church services hymns and prayers sung and signed in unison and it has warmed my heart (God must feel the same!)

This is a film about a family of four. Mother, father and younger son are deaf mutes, the 16 year old daughter is their translator. Set in rural France, we follow the development of the daughter as she is discovered to be a gifted singer. The acting from all four is superb, one is rooting for them all the way through. It's funny (the humour and language is often quite adult) and sad and beautifully shot. The ending is a real tear-jerker, yes it's schmaltzy but who cares, sometimes a feel-good film is just what one needs.

Debated between 3 and 4 stars. If 5 is exceptional then this may fall just short of 4. The affirmation of family was certainly touching but was a touch too close to schmaltzy for my liking.The context for the renditions of the Michel Sardou classics "Je vais t'aimer" and especially "Je vole" were moving as the adolescent heroine leaves her deaf and dumb parents and brother on the family farm to pursue her own gift of song and new life in Paris.There are some comical scenes with the parents and brother's "signing" interactions with the world at large and some amusing lack of delicacy at times. It is great to see "disablity" featuring in films but this was never quite as wicked as "Les Intouchables" or as "real-life" as "Le premier jour du reste de ma vie", 2 films that are 5 or very close to 5 star for me.A "highly recommended" 3 stars all the same.

I absolutely loved this film. It's lightweight on many levels but it has a serious message if you care to reflect on the way society doesn't truly embrace the non-hearing minority. The acting is beautifully done - Karin Viard (as the mother Gigi) is gloriously over-animated and the debut film from 16 year old (at the time) Louane Emera is impressive. For such a lightly humorous film it has a climax that I am unashamed to admit brought me to tears (of joy) - just as all good films should.

Oh, what a film. I came to this not really aware of the subject and I can only recommend that you do too. A proper story full of character, wit and charm. We were given this as a Christmas present and since have lent it across the family, and they have all loved it.We have bought it as a present for others more than once, and it has been absolutely and completely adored.

Definitely worth the effort, as with many French films that frequently score over British/American ones, it tells a simple story very well. If there's a slight gripe it is the way the parents are portrayed (ok, they are deaf but they would have developed a means of dealing with this when running a market stall & interacting with hearing members of the public. This strikes a slightly 'unbelievable' chord in my estimation). However putting that gripe aside, the story was emotionally enthralling & how the talent of their hearing daughter won the initially reluctant support of her parents the most touching aspect of all.

This video DVD starts with trailers. These trailers here come up as nearly unplayable, hup-hic-blub-what nix sound flashes.And you are lucky if you can pass this abominable start and get to the movieWait till the movie beginsThis is flawless. If you like stunning sign language on sex, politics and life, I do and am laughing and laughing. It is SO GOOD.