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      Ponette

      1996 1h 37m Drama Comedy List
      92% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 91% Audience Score 2,500+ Ratings After losing her mother in a car accident that leaves her with a broken arm, 4-year-old Ponette (Victoire Thivisol) struggles with anguish and fear. Left by her father with a caring aunt (Claire Nebout) and her children, Ponette grieves, secretly hoping her mother will somehow come back. Confused by the religious explanations provided by adults, and challenged by the cruel taunts of a few children at school, little Ponette must make her way through her emotional turmoil. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Patrick Z. McGavin Chicago Reader The emotional truth of Ponette connects each scene with every other Rated: 3/4 Jun 16, 2022 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: A Sep 7, 2011 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews Rated: 3/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot The film's simplicity, sparked by an awesome performance by Victoire Thivisol, captures innocence in a way that has seldom been attempted before. Rated: 4/4 Mar 2, 2022 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com This child is portrayed with stunning and simple brilliance by Victoire Thivisol. Rated: 4.0/4.0 Sep 20, 2020 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Rated: 4/5 Oct 20, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Valquria G Muito bom, excelente Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/23 Full Review Edward M One of the most beautiful and deeply moving films that I have ever seen. Victoire Thivisol and the rest of the cast are excellent. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/18/23 Full Review Thomas M The best acting performance from Victoire Thivisol! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/22 Full Review Nawt W For such a simple idea, the movie surprisingly executes it really well. It is quite a risk to put your movie on the shoulders of a 4 year old girl to act out concepts and situations that the actress might not even fully understand herself, but it was clearly worth it. Tragic denial and a crisis of faith through the prism of a small child who has yet to even grasp the concept of death.  Victoire Thivisol is indeed incredible. At least when she is alone. When she has to share the screen with other children, acting suddenly becomes awkward, and it's clear that kids don't really put any thought into what they are saying or doing, acting in the way that the man behind the camera wants them to. It's not their fault. They are kids, but it would be nice if the same care was put into directing them to be little assholes as it was put into Ponette herself.  The movie frankly drags a bit as it essentially plays out its high concept to the maximum without adding anything to it. Some aspects of the plot seem like a stretch, as it's really hard to believe adults are practically bullying a little girl into accepting that her mom is gone, even if it's done in frustration. The final scene leaves a lot up to interpretation. As being clearly played out in her head, it also goes way beyond anything a little girl could come up with in terms of rationale.  One thing should be noted is the soundtrack, which has great compositions even if they can't elevate that French countryside, where every interior and room is as dull as if it's the early 20th century. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/18/22 Full Review Audience Member Great movie, prepare your hankchief Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member Amazing Breathtaking performance such a young child. God bless her so that she wasn't affected negatively by the movie. I wish her well. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Ponette

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis After losing her mother in a car accident that leaves her with a broken arm, 4-year-old Ponette (Victoire Thivisol) struggles with anguish and fear. Left by her father with a caring aunt (Claire Nebout) and her children, Ponette grieves, secretly hoping her mother will somehow come back. Confused by the religious explanations provided by adults, and challenged by the cruel taunts of a few children at school, little Ponette must make her way through her emotional turmoil.
      Director
      Jacques Doillon
      Producer
      Christine Gozlan
      Screenwriter
      Jacques Doillon
      Production Co
      Bac Films
      Genre
      Drama, Comedy
      Original Language
      French (Canada)
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $1.5M
      Runtime
      1h 37m
      Sound Mix
      Stereo