Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing

This movie gets a 2 from me because it's so earnest and because the flashbacks were beautifully photographed. What might have been an interesting story (I haven't read the book, but now will) is buried in cumbersome directing and editing and a creaky script. The film was interminable. There were too many reaction shots in the interview sequences even when there weren't any reactions. I thought the leading actors were mildly believable, but the others seemed as awkward as high schoolers. I saw this with an enormously respectful audience. I don't know why there wasn't more coughing or sighing or other outright signs of exasperation. Two things in particular made me crazy: a totally gratuitous, but oh-so-tasteful sexual encounter that went on way too long and the reading of long passages of (not very good) poetry that I assume was included to convey the essence of Sarton's novel, but which just stopped the film dead in its tracks. Very disappointing.

Exquisitely done. I have seen this film at several festivals, and the experience deepens each time. The cinematography in the flashbacks is gorgeous, the script and acting are riveting, and the emotional and intellectual content substantial. The soundtrack is excellent as well. What a coup to have pulled off this high quality an adaptation of an important novel on an independent film budget! The film paints a portrait of an artist who struggles with society's various expectations and ultimately triumphs. That she happens to love women is distinctive in that there are so many films in which such characters come to bitter and tragic ends. It WOULD be tragic if this film was typecast as a genre film because it most certainly is not. It's more of an art film in the European vein—like Aime and Jaguar. This film deserves a wider audience beyond the festival circuit!!!

How validating and refreshing - a rich movie in every sense and respect, with such depth! I was riveted throughout Hillary's exciting, full and intellectual journey. "Mrs. Stevens..." is visually and musically stunning. The love scenes are breath and heart-stopping in their magnificent beauty. One had the clear sense of a palpable magnetic energy in the theater as the viewer in this sold out premiere; that something huge and historical was taking place. I believe one must see this movie at least twice, as so much is happening and said in reminiscence with much underlying meaning. "Mrs. Stevens..." has true love, heart, mind and soul experience.

It provoked my mind to dig deeper into my being...it prompted me to question my sexuality. As a heterosexual woman, I found it enticing, innocent and tasteful. The time has come to reveal those ambiguous sensations and to revel in the abandonment of the known!

At first I was cautiously watching, but I quickly became enthralled in the exquisite setting. The costumes were incredible, as was the decor. However, what enticed me most was the fact that this is, indeed, a true story! Imagine the era..women couldn't vote! But, yet, they continued to forge their bonds. Silent for years, but witnessed at last. Kudos to Linda for having the courage to realize her dream! BRAVO!

CLYoung, Columbus, Ohio

As a poet, thinker, and diarist myself, I was affected profoundly by May Sarton's novel Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing. I was hoping that I would love the movie as well, and I was not disappointed. Because of the flashback sequences, it is able to tell two stories at once: it captures both the reflectiveness of the poet in the now and the succulent vigor of the young woman she was. In the meantime it reveals the reflectiveness of the younger Hilary and the continuing vitality of the older Hilary. The pacing reminded me of a Masterpiece Theatre production, as befits the story, however veiled, of a literary figure. I found myself riveted by it, as I was by the novel all those years ago.