La famille Bélier

In a few words this movie is a real masterpiece. It is able to 'broadcast' so many beautiful messages via a surprising good sense of humor.

It places the viewer in the position of various characters living a completely different life and facing controversial problems. And all that is accomplished in a real comedy way..

I have never thought what it feels like to be deaf, this movie allowed me to 'live' that situation for a few minutes.

Isn't that the real meaning of filming? Placing viewers to positions that they couldn't be placed in real life..?

I adored this film for another reason too.. It shows to all of us that you can still film a masterpiece with a tight budget.

It seems that good filming isn't the exclusive privilege of wealthy productions. Budget in filming is like money in life.. it makes things easier but it doesn't guarantee success.

Well done my French friends, "Bravo" I shall be watching you!

George P.

You want to watch the traditional super production, with special effects, super heroes, stunts, multi locations, etc.? then this is not the movie you are looking for. This great movie goes to the essence of a nice, loving, great family, who deal with human feelings in the most real, natural and believable way. A movie that will leave a great flavor. 100% worth to watch! Great acting, direction, photography, and of course, the soul of every movie, the script. More movies like this which show the bright side of life are needed, vs. the cinema that shows the sad reality of violence, crime, and stress. This last line is to fulfill the 10 lines required for a review. ;)

I watched this movie on a Sneak preview and I must admit that I was sooo relieved by its existence. And by the fact that such a movie will actually launch in the big cinemas (at least here, in Germany). Finally – a movie far from a blockbuster, obscene, moronic comedy or anything too pretentious. It is a family movie that you simply enjoy watching and relax while doing so.

The idea is quite original actually, as far as my knowledge of things goes. And honestly, I feel like we need more films like that which explore these ideas and the life of such families and people, but explore them exactly that way - so naturally, with such humour and gentleness. No mega-drama, life is sad and the world is a cruel place for people with disabilities stuff. Everything in the movie is realistic, from the characters to the crises and the conversations. I liked also very much the fact that I didn't find any of the characters especially attractive or better than the rest. They were… hello, normal!! And interesting and different and funny in their "normalness". Here I am talking for both character and looks.

So yeah, basically… I've never been good at reviewing a movie I like, so I can simply recommend it to everybody who wants a breath of fresh air after all the action-visual-effects-little-script stuff that Hollywood is showering us with.

Ps. I didn't know the main character has been a star in a singing show, but the songs and the music in the movie were truly enjoyable.

A hearing daughter, Paula Belier (Louane Emera), was born to deaf parents and has a younger deaf brother in rural France. Being fluent in sign language and French, she acts as the family interpreter and bridge to the outside world – whether it is a doctor's appointment or dealing with customers in the market when they sell their farm produce.

Not only can Paula speak, but she also has a gift in singing, as discovered by her music teacher, who decides to train her and a fellow classmate for admission into the Maitrise de Radio France, an elite choir in Paris. Now Paula has to struggle between leaving the family for Paris to pursue her dream in singing or stay home to care for her family who depends so much on her. In the meantime, there seems to be some teenage romance going on …

Very swift tempo and lots of comedy when Paula links her family with the world outside. But it gets serious and tear jerking when we witness her torn between fulfilling her dreams and leaving the family she loves. It gets touching when her deaf father begins to "hear" her sing and finally realizes their daughter need to live her own life.

Totally entertaining and absolutely moving with beautiful singing. The songs fit beautifully with the script. Also great acting from the cast, especially Louane Emera who sings like an angel. Paula's parents and younger brother are very convincing too. Highly recommended and bring some tissue paper.

The Béliers are a pretty different family. They're deaf and mute. They live in the countryside and they are a loving family with two children. With one caveat: their daughter is their ears and voice.

As French cinema goes, this film is at its best. The performances, and the whole idea behind the film is so deep and so original, it will make you think twice about life.

It's pretty difficult for me to restrain on accolades and praise. The writers, the director, the crew and each and every actor on this piece are a team out of the ordinary. I mean, a film like this is what makes film making and story telling worth it. As it happens more often than not, French cinema is on the top list of the best films in the world. Sadly for those who expect lots of action, the French rarely oblige. They go deep into the soul of their characters. This is not a cute film, this is a serious work of art that transcends beliefs, races and countries. I would put it as one of those films not to be missed. Chapeau!