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Pauline and Paulette

Play trailer Poster for Pauline and Paulette PG Released Mar 15, 2002 1h 18m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A delightfully bittersweet story of four elderly sisters and their relationship with each other. For Pauline (Dora van der Groen), life is simple. She lives with Martha (Julienne De Bruyn), the eldest of her four sisters, in a small town between Brussels and the seacoast. When Martha suddenly dies, everyone's world is turned upside down. Neither Paulette (Ann Petersen) or their youngest sister Cecile (Rosemarie Bergmans), feel they can be responsible for caring for their sister.
Pauline and Paulette

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Critics Consensus

Pauline and Paulette is a gently poignant, compassionate tale.

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Critics Reviews

View All (55) Critics Reviews
Empire Magazine Rated: 4/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune A moving tale of love and destruction in unexpected places, unexamined lives. Rated: 3/4 Jul 20, 2002 Full Review Moira MacDonald Seattle Times It's rare to find a film to which the adjective 'gentle' applies, but the word perfectly describes Pauline & Paulette. Rated: 3/4 May 10, 2002 Full Review Mark Steyn The Spectator If you only see one difficult-old-lady movie this year, well, this one's better than Iris. Jan 30, 2018 Full Review Betsy Bozdech DVDJournal.com A sweet, sentimental story told in a loving, amused fashion. Rated: 3/4 Nov 9, 2006 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 2/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A wonderfully sweet and simple film, sentimental but never sappy. I found it completely absorbing thanks to outstanding performances and great art direction, I especially loved the use of colour. I have not come across a film that portrays someone that is mentally challenged (and their caregiver,) in a way that felt this authentic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member This is one of those cases where I see a film and think that I should be immensely impressed by it when taking into account all the different elements at work, but yet I feel I've been left a bit underwhelmed. "Pauline & Paulette" has a lot of things going for it, and don't get me wrong, it's really a very accomplished and compelling film, but as a whole it seems to lack something. The premise is interesting, emotional, yet commendably realistic. The story doesn't shy away from the fact that looking after a sick relative is extremely tough and that rewards in that situation may be very few and subtle, indeed if existing at all. van derGroen and Petersen offer amazingly touching and raw scenes, even as the overall tone remains comedic and even light. I guess I just didn't get a grip of the movie because all the elements from the most grim to the most lightweight didn't really find a way to coexist in a natural way. At the end I felt frustratingly as if I hadn't really gotten to see all the potential fulfilled. Looking back I think that "Pauline & Paulette" didn't just get stuck with its premise without taking it further as I originally thought. Here's a film I think often about, especially when the future of our elders, eventually including my generation is being discussed. We may all end up being very dependant of the help of the people we might manage to keep close to us during our ever lengthening lives. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member A sensitive and emotional portrayal of a mentally disabled woman and her family's journey to understanding and acceptance. Beautifully executed photography captured the rich Flemish imagery. Van der Groen, Petersen, Bergmans, and others inject a humanness that might be otherwise lost by other less skilled actors. A moving story I recommend to anyone. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member OK I guess... great acting...subject matter is a bit scary! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Inspriring movie, but terrible acting at times. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is an excellent movie with a deeply moving story line and a subtle hint of comedy. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Pauline and Paulette

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Movie Info

Synopsis A delightfully bittersweet story of four elderly sisters and their relationship with each other. For Pauline (Dora van der Groen), life is simple. She lives with Martha (Julienne De Bruyn), the eldest of her four sisters, in a small town between Brussels and the seacoast. When Martha suddenly dies, everyone's world is turned upside down. Neither Paulette (Ann Petersen) or their youngest sister Cecile (Rosemarie Bergmans), feel they can be responsible for caring for their sister.
Director
Lieven Debrauwer
Producer
Dominique Janne
Screenwriter
Jacques Boon, Lieven Debrauwer
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Buena Vista (Walt Disney)
Rating
PG (Brief Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Dutch
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 15, 2002, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA)
$139.5K
Runtime
1h 18m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)