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Belgium, France, Netherlands · 2001
Rated PG · 1h 18m
Director Lieven Debrauwer
Starring Dora van der Groen, Ann Petersen, Rosemarie Bergmans, Julienne De Bruyn
Genre Drama, Comedy
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A ‘little girl of 66 years old,’ Pauline is mentally retarded and has been cared after by her eldest sister Martha. But when Martha suddenly dies, everyone's world is turned upside down. Neither sister, Paulette or Cecile, feel they can be responsible for caring for their sister, but one must step up to the plate.
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There is something disturbing about 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" (read: morally inferior) friends, family and acquaintances.
New Times (L.A.) by Bill Gallo
Disturbing, beautifully acted movie.
New York Daily News by Jack Mathews
Plumbs the issue of sibling love and family responsibility in quietly powerful ways, and the performances of the two stars surpass convincing to reach a level of biographical realism.
Sentimental and has its heart on its sleeve, but never heavy-handedly so, and its delicacy and tenderness will get to you if you give it half a chance.
The result is something truly special.
Without condescension, Debrauwer offers comic glimpses into their separate dreams of grandeur, but he lets Pauline's touching simplicity unite them.
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.
Debrauwer's characterization is as sharp and incisive as a butter knife.
Portland Oregonian by Shawn Levy
At the end, you're refreshed, like Pauline after she swallows an entire soft drink in one gulp, and it feels terrific.
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