Séraphin: un homme et son péché

Growing up, I used to watch the popular weekly TV serial that this movie is based on. This was in the 60's, and it lasted for quite a while. Everybody followed the lives of these characters, and the kids would imitate a few of them in the schoolyards during recess. It was a cornerstone of Quebec culture back then. Episodes are even being aired nowadays, but they don't have the same magic anymore... The pacing was very slow, and you'd only get a part of the story in each episode, to the point where I'd never even gotten to know how such a splendid "creature" as Donalda came to be that monster's wife, and the ties she had with Alexis, her true love. What a surprise to have that story told so wonderfully after all those years! Very nice work, Mr. Binamé... And thanks for making me see "the whole picture". I only wish you'd put Bill Wabo in the mix, so that I could figure out how he fit in there.

Father Ovide, I have a confession to make. The two main reasons I went to see this movie were A) the Winnipeg Free Press gave it four stars, and B) the movie listings said "warning - sexual content." All you guys out there, can any of you relate? Heck, I'd go watch professinal lawn bowling if it had a sexual content warning.

Turns out I lucked into seeing a fine little movie. It caused me to think of the decisions we make and why we make them, and the errors we commit and how they can wind up controlling us.

It also made me very mad at Seraphin. At one point I was loudly thinking, "SHOOT HIM! SHOOT HIM!" But then, truly he was an evil man who deserved his comeupance.

The sweet lady Donalda bugged me too. If you've made a mistake but you get a chance to get over it, wouldn't you get over it? "No, it's much better to stay put and accept your punishment." AARGH!! What's wrong with you people? But then, I'm coming from a 20th century anglo-protestant perspective, not an 18th century french-catholic one.

Neat film. I'd love to see these actors again.

Well... I just saw this movie an hour ago. Not only it touched me, but it's also a total gem. Karine Vanasse, a young actress of 19 years old is astounting as Donalda. With her GREAT acting(probably the best one ever done in a French-Canadian film or even EVER), she simply brings us to tear. She has the power to take your heart and tear it. I'm a guy, it is a huge accomplishment. hehe When I left the teather, I felt like this story happened in front of my eyes. The wonderful job of the crew team gives us a strong impression of reality, which helps to touch us. On the other hand, they make a great job too with including humor to remind us that were watching a movie. They do that exactly when it is so touching that you have no control on your feelings, so it helps to regain control of yourself. Pierre Lebeau did an amazing job as Séraphin, we hate this man to the point that we want him to die, so Alexis and Donalda can live their beautiful love story.

There's no cliché in this movie. Unlike in «Les dangereux», we did not wanted to do exactly like the american movies, we wanted to create a believable 1890 period of time which would represents the French-Canadians.

I give 9.5 out of 10 to this movie because a movie can't be 100% perfect! But, it's close to be perfect! Everyone in the world should see this touching love story that goes directly to our heart. I hope that more people on this website will see this movie because it is a French-Canadian classic!

The reason why «Un homme et son péché» got so much attention from the public and the medias was that the original story is a classic here in Québec. The movie is not truly a masterpiece, but it's still good to watch.

The story was changed: there is a lot more sexuality in this version and, unfortunately, some things do not make sense because all the references to the importance of religion at that time in Québec are gone.

I believe the dialogues sometimes sounded very fake, but it also depended of the actor. I think the girl that did Simone could really take some more acting courses (but it's only a small role) and Karine Vanasse also is not as superb as some said. I even found it difficult at some moments to understand what emotions she was trying to project.

The music was beautiful and the scenery magnificent!

I'd like to comment some of the actors performance: Lebeau was great, Seraphin really made me sick and it was the kind of performance that after, in each movie I see the guy, I see Seraphin, his greatest role (like when you see Audrey Tautou and you think «Amélie!»). Roy Dupuis's performance was better in this movie than in any one I saw before, he did quite a good job [for once]. Also some characters like the one Benoit Briere incarnates and also the priest were very convincing. And finally, I believe if Vanasse works a bit more, she'll end up being a quite good actress (hey, she's very young, so she has time to learn).

The ending scene with the double-meaning scream of Seraphin «C'est moé qui brûle!!!» also brings a lot of emotion and some depth.

Only very few eyes in the theater weren't wet from crying all through the movie. It's very touching and sad, and very good too. The actors are excellent and the settings are fantastic. The story in itself is very good, everyone should see it :D