Review of The Bélier Family (2014) by Timothy A — 02 Nov 2015

There should be no other rating possible for this movies apart from 10/10. At first, when you read the plot, you're somewhere in the middle. A movie about deaf people? Mmmm... Then you start watching it and you find yourself immersed in the life of the sweetest girl in her teenage hood, trying to cope with a family that is like all the rest but then again it's also not like any other family.

The father figure is amazing. He was amazing throughout the movie. Funny, serious and a true father to his daughter, being strict but also being so comforting and supportive. The mother is also an amazing portrayal, full of energy and support for the family. I was brought to tears (not only once) in the scene where she talks about her daughter being born normal. Absolutely astonishing scene.

The brother is there, in the background but equally important to the story. But the most amazing performance is the one by Louane Emera (Paula). She was fragile and powerful at the same time. She was distant and again "involved" in so many things. And her voice, oh her voice. She sings like an angel and climaxes the movie by her voice alone.

The scene in the audition, with her singing and signaling the lyrics to her parents, was expected by the plot at the time, but still, watching it, I could not stop sobbing. It was one of the most powerful scenes I had seen in a very very long time.

This movie is a MUST!