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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

(aka "Marie Heurtin" )

 

directed by Jean-Pierre Améris
France 2014

 

At the end of the nineteenth century, Monsieur Heurtin (Gilles Treton, CRIMSON RIVERS 2) and his wife (Laure Duthilleul, DIVA) seek the help of the nuns at the Notre-Dame de Larnay convent who care for and educate deaf children to care for his daughter Marie (Ariana Rivoire) who is both deaf and blind. Although the Mother Superior (Brigitte Catillon, LA SPETTATRICE) turns them away, tubercular young Sister Marguerite (Isabelle Carré, ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS) – having learned sign language from deaf Sister Raphaëlle (Noémie Churlet) – is willing to take on the challenge after trying to experience what it must be like to be trapped in a prison of darkness and silence. Marie is understandably terrified, having been forcefully taken away from her parents and everything familiar to her, but Margurite slowly starts to make progress as she switches from trying to teach the girl language to showing her how to live and interact with others (and engaging her curiosity about the world around her). If you have seen THE MIRACLE WORKER, then MARIE'S STORY – though also based on a true story – will offer little surprise. The period setting is well-realized and the performances are excellent (Catillon as the cold Mother Superior conveys a startling warmth with a ghost of a smile) and the drama will tug at the heartstrings, but the sequence of events is predictable and the emotional beats so calculated (no sooner does Marie reconnect with her parents than Marguerite remind us of her failing health by passing out and telegraphing that the last act will focus on Marie comprehending and accepting mortality). The adaptation does take some liberties with the true story, seemingly in order to not have to recast Marie with an older actress for later scenes. The end result feels more like a prestige production than a neglected story worthy of telling.

Eric Cotenas

Poster

Theatrical Release: 12 November 2014 (France)

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DVD Review: Film Movement - Region 1 - NTSC

Big thanks to Eric Cotenas for the Review!

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Distribution

Film Movement

Region 1 - NTSC

Runtime 1:33:48
Video

1.85:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 7.5 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate

Audio French Dolby Digital 5.1; French Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo; English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo
Subtitles English, none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Film Movement

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 1.85:1

Edition Details:
� Making-of (16:9; 26:38)
� Theatrical Trailer (16:9; 1:31)
� Bonus Short Film 'Motherly' by Navid Nikkhah Azad (16:9; 12:45)
� Previews

DVD Release Date: November 3rd, 2015
Amaray

Chapters 12

 

 

 

Comments

Film Movement's progressive, anamorphic disc presents a suitable SD rendition of the film's attractive cinematography. The Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 tracks present a standard front-heavy mix with atmospheric effects in the surrounds while doing little to suggest the world from Marie's perspective. Besides optional English subtitles and closed captions (which both translate the sign language as well as the French dialogue), Film Movement also includes a descriptive audio track with the dialogue acted by Michele Spitz. The most substantial film-related extra is a making-of featurette which reveals that Rivoire is indeed deaf but not blind, helped Carré with her sign language, and took direction through an interpreter (and also became fascinated with the filmmaking process, asking the director about the position of the camera and the intended shots). A short film is also included about a blind mother who wants to know if her son's girlfriend is beautiful. The film is available on DVD in France and Blu-ray in Spain (neither is English-friendly).

  - Eric Cotenas

 


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DVD Box Cover

CLICK to order from:

 

 

Distribution

Film Movement

Region 1 - NTSC

 



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