Thérèse: The Story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

It's hard to be objective about this film. As cinema, it's "amateur night at the movies," but as a practicing Roman Catholic, it's easy to overlook the gaps, shortcomings and fumblings in light of its subject. Having said that, I found the film to be very strange; there are certainly two ways you can take it: one, you can be moved by the demonstrations of faith and piety which prompts a whole family of 4 middle class young women of country gentry stock to become religious. The message therefrom is one of overriding faith. The family is close knit, visits the nunnery regularly, dresses and eats well but their lives are centered around the church. The mother dies and one by one, the girls go into religious vocations. Therese, the youngest, goes into her vocation post-puberty. She keeps a diary and it is this which becomes the great testament of her faith after her death. As the other reviewer noted, the more faithful among us will find it moving. The other viewpoint sees a family in late 19th century France who live in comfortable circumstances and who practice their religion intensely. Their little crises with health and emotions are not really beyond those most of endure during our lives, and indeed, one can wonder what is all the fuss about. The miraculous event of Therese is the repentance of a murder in the shadow of the guillotine. This episode is realized vicariously as Therese never saw the man, nor he her. Her entry into the world of the cloister is met with hostility by some of her religious sisters who resent her comfortable background. Again, this is perfectly normal and not unexpected.

Her death and suffering from TB is likewise undramatic and one can be left with the cynical impression that anyone can become a saint if you get sick and write about it. On the positive side, the film is pleasing to the eye, with set shots of the countryside and girls in wonderful 19th century dresses. The cloister shots are likewise idyllic and one wonders what the real world was like. The audience clapped loudly at the end and I had the impression there were few Protestants in the audience. No matter. If you want a simple film to bolster your faith in Holy Mother Church, this is it.

When I signed up to promote this film I had ambitions of great things, but God showed me the hope of the little way.

I agree with critical comments about the film being film-schoolish. Many folks on the Luke Films team have a theater--not film background. However, Lindsay Younce was EXCELLENT in her simple beauty. In fact the simplicity and ameteur nature of the film reflects the simple child-like love of its namesake.

I love this movie. Thank you to Leo and Lindsay and St. Luke's!

The story of this little film is the story of the Little Way. For the past 5 years people all over the country/world have DONATED their time and money and sweat to finance, produce and market this wonderful story.

Here in Dallas three secular movies where moved to add 3 extra auditoriums to show Therese and more than two auditoriums were filled all through opening weekend.

The Passion had fame and wealth (God bless Mel for this gift) behind it, but Therese proves that a little film about the Little Way, can spread LOVE very far through the efforts of so many people.

The relative success of Therese shows us what Christian people (and dedicated folks in general) can achieve together in faith, prayer and hard work.

It is tempting to criticize it. and real easy. because each viewer has his perspective about Therese Martin. and , at first sigh, Lindsay Younce is far to be the perfect choice for the lead role. but... . the film has few significant virtues. the first - the atmosphere of Martin family. and the flavour of French XIX century. and, sure, the life of convent. for a not believer, it could seems be too sweet and pink and conventional. for a Greek - Orthodox like me, correct translation on screen of the biography of one of the most loved saints of Romano-Catholic Church. in fact, it is a beautiful portrait. moving hommage. for many reasons. one of them - the performance of Leonardo Defilippis in the role of Louis Martin.

I saw this movie 4 times when it played in Nashville, and I cried each time. The love of a father for his daughters, and the love of a future Saint for her Beloved is portrayed in an effective and moving film that captures the essence of the Catholic faith.

Leonardo Defilippis is the director, principle writer, and male lead actor. He is both charming and inspiring in his role as the father of Therese.

St. Therese is played by Lindsay Younce, who infuses her character with beauty, wit, and intensity. This is one actress to watch in the years to come.

If you are a Catholic, you will be blessed and your heart will be touched by seeing Therese. And, even if you aren't a Catholic you can find much to love about this enchanting film and the life and faith of the widely-loved Saint who inspired it.

I saw this at a theater in Burlington, NJ, on Oct 3. Sadly, it is the only movie theater in the state where it is playing. The story concerns the life of a deeply religious French girl named Therese Martin, and her life from 1877 to 1897, focusing mostly on her from age 15 onwards, when she entered a convent and became a nun. It depicts a very human girl and the lives that she touched. They should make more films like this. Unfortunately, we haven't had a movie like this, that portrays Catholic clergy in a positive light in quite sometime. Hopefully there will be more to come after this. Rated PG- nothing offensive, although several characters die.