Les muses orphelines (2000) User Reviews

A movie that makes you think

[Eli-- · 8/10 · 27 November 2000]

Les Muses Orphelines is a well adapted play from the author who also gave us Lilies (which has also been adapted and is a must see movie). Les Muses Orphelines made me think about life and family. If you want to have children or if you have children, I think that there's a lesson to take from this movie. Over all, the story is surprising in a way and very well acted. Most important, the movie teaches you important things on life, which is very rare these days !

Besame...besame mucho

[bob998 · 7/10 · 16 March 2010]

A little town in Quebec--St. Ludger. The Tanguay family (the four children) lives in quiet poverty. Catherine, the oldest, teaches school and looks after her brother Luc, an aspiring writer and occasional transvestite (there is much ado about mother's old dresses in a suitcase). Isabelle, the youngest, is getting by by working as an access guard on a highway, while dreaming about improving her vocabulary. She breaks into the power plant one day and shuts off the current for the whole town: why, I'm not sure. Isabelle engineers a family reunion by calling her sister Martine in Germany, and telling her that Luc has died.

The story is not the most gripping you will ever see, but the performances are often very good. Céline Bonnier as the lesbian Martine has a ready wit, she has managed to break away from the claustrophobic family setup by joining the Armed Forces. Marina Orsini shows the frustrations of Catherine's life--having to be the breadwinner and suppressing her own sexual needs.

A seriously beautiful film.

[pcgmaxbrulez · 10/10 · 21 April 2005]

I once was staying at a good friend's house, and around 11 I decided to go downstairs to get something to drink. My friends brother was watching TV, so I decided to go watch whatever it was he was watching. Flicking the channels around a bit we noticed an interesting movie on CBC in french. So, we started to watch. It ended up being one of the most moving films I have ever seen, we were attached to the screen the whole time. The story is about a troubled family with 4 siblings, who have all went out in life and are currently doing there own thing, until they are all called to their old house for an announcement that their mother is returning who supposedly ran off to Spain with her Latino lover. The story unfolds in heartwarming moments, as well as bitter, offset moments as the siblings clash with each other on ways of life, but also they click in the way that only orphaned children can. The score is astonishingly touching, as the acting is as well. Someone posted a comment how this is a good film for anyone with kids, which is very far from the truth. This is a deep, melancholy film that keeps you wondering and apathetic up until the shocking ending, which wrapped up the film very very nicely. It truly leaves you with a sense of tied ends, but also sadness. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who has good taste. It is such an odd and satisfying film, possibly the BEST movie I have ever seen. Plus, it's now out on DVD.

A must see "Québécois"

[Moynahan_M · 9/10 · 5 August 2003]

This is definitely the best performance for Fanny Mallette in the role of that a little retarded young woman... Les Muses Orphelines shows something beautiful that it is impossible for me to tell... This is so real and seriously awesome!