Marguerite (I) (2017) User Reviews

Beautyful film

[moniquetherien · 8/10 · 1 January 2019]

Very sensitive and very moving. No wonder this film has been a winner everywhere it's been presented.

Okay little movie with a good ending

[Horst_In_Translation · 6/10 · 16 March 2019]

"Marguerite" is a Canadian French-language live action short film from 2017 that runs for 19 minutes (including a bit over one minute of credits) and was written and directed by Marianne Farley. Farley is mostly a prolific actress, so there is quite some irony to this work being her by far most known and successful now I suppose. At least successful because it has been steamrolling the opposition in awards ceremonies all over the globe winning 19 trophies, all the ones it was nominated for according to imdb before evntually coming short at the Oscars, but a nomination there is also a success for sure. Still, I must say this is probably my least favorite from the nominees, slightly weaker than the James Bulger movie and certainly weaker than the two other non-nominated short films. I will watch the winner tomorrow probably. This is the story of an old woman and her nurse. Early on there is the generic stuff like the younger woman peroforming some medical stuff on the older (played by Béatrice Picard by the way) and she tries to convince her to go to a hospital. But the key story is about the nurse being a lesbian and what this knowledge evokes in the old lady. She says she loved a woman once too, but that was a big sin back in the day of course, so she never told the one she loved (or anybody else probably). This notion can make us happy that we are living in more tolerant times these days and even if some social justice warrior frequently missing the right mark that we do not have to worry anymore to show our feeling to whoever we want regrsless of his gender, skin color or age. Well, most of the time. This admissionw as probably also the best moment of the film. The kiss was perhaps a bit too much, not really realistic as the nurse should also make sure she is not making the old woman any hopes, but the two lying together in bed afterwards I liked more again, so the ending was okay, probably the best thing about this film. Sadly, it dragged quite a bit in the first half, which is why I think the Oscar nomination and huge awards success was perhaps a bit too much, but all in all it is a solid movie and I recommend checking it out, especially if we take into account that Farley is far (no pun intended!) from being a prolific and/or experienced filmmaker. I'm curious about her upcoming works. Until these are released, go watch this one here and make sure you geta good set of subtitles if you aren't fluent in French.

Well made.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 17 February 2019]

Today I went to the annual showing of the Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts. I've gone to these showings for at least a decade and must admit that this year's batch was the most god-awful films....all of them very depressing and a few so depressing that I left the theater wanting to shoot myself!! Of the five, "Marguerite" was the least depressing...and it revolves around a woman who is nearing her own death!

Marianne Farley wrote and directed this French-Canadian short. It's a daring film in many ways, as I have noticed that society is afraid to look at aging and death...and Marguerite is elderly and obviously approaching the end of her life. It also has an LGBT theme....not so daring when it comes to Oscars, though daring as far as finding an audience for such a film.

The best things about this film were the acting by Béatrice Picard and Sandrine Bisson. Picard, in particular, impressed me as she allowed herself to be filmed naked in several scenes (they were tastefully done) as well as having close-ups of her wrinkles and weary self. Additionally, the story is interesting and simple...and worth seeing.

Will this one win the Oscar? Probably not, though Hollywood has seemed to have a lot of interest in LGBT themes in recent years....so who knows. Is it the best of the lot, in my opinion, no...though it is still quite good and only somewhat depressing.

Could have done without the lesbian propaganda

[billsoccer · 6/10 · 29 April 2020]

A nice soy about growing old, having friendship and regrets. However, it could have been told without being a vehicle for homosexuality

Extremely moving

[bergeri1973 · 10/10 · 31 December 2018]

Beautiful film. It made me understand certain aspect of the reality of my grandmother's generation compared to mine.

We will all be here at some time.

[duanemkarr · 10/10 · 7 January 2019]

This was well done, in the writing, acting, and directing. It touched my heart deeply!

Getting old is like crossing a boundary...

[mhebert-80971 · 9/10 · 1 January 2019]

In a society where the core of people is getting older, it is interesting to peek in the thoughts which invade gradually the mind of the aging person. Remember, we will all get there one day...

Marguerite - a heartwarming short!

[tinafvitale-92042 · 9/10 · 31 December 2018]

A must see, deeply moving and powerful, artfully written, directed and acted by a strong team of women.

Absolutely Fabulous

[ramont-06756 · 9/10 · 5 January 2019]

I was touched to the core of my being. I enjoyed it thoroughly with tears in my eyes throughout.

Exceptional movie

[voelinc · 10/10 · 31 December 2018]

Original story about an elderly woman's emotional journey into her past. Beautiful cinematography communicates the depth of her emotions. Wonderful acting by lead and supporting actresses. Touching and inspirational!!!!

Simply beautiful

[Vincenzo_B · 9/10 · 8 January 2019]

I was moved like never before by this short. Well written, directed and played by some amazing actresses.

generational differences

[ferguson-6 · 8/10 · 27 April 2020]

Jan 19, 2019 Greetings again from the darkness. It was after the Oscar nominations were announced that I tracked down this one, the last of the 5 nominated live action shorts in the category that I've watched. While the other 4 nominees are tension-packed, this beautiful 18 minute film from writer-director Marianne Farley is serene and both heart-warming and heart-breaking.

Beatrice Picard began her acting career in the 1950's, and here she is extraordinary in the titular role. Marguerite is a lonely elderly woman in the final stage of life. Understanding that her time is near, she has refused the daily dialysis recommended by her doctor. A window in her living room is literally her window to the world. As her body slowly fails, she is a captive in her home. Her time is spent anxiously awaiting the daily arrival of her in-home caregiver Rachel (Sandrine Bisson), a patient and compassionate woman who provides care, as well as Marguerite's only human contact.

Bathing Marguerite, shampooing her hair, helping her get dressed, and applying lotion are part of Rachel's routine. The importance of these moments is obvious by Marguerite's face. One day she overhears a brief phone conversation between Rachel and her partner, which leads to an innocent question ... the answer which ignites a memory in Marguerite that causes much reflection.

Forbidden love left unrequited and unmentioned highlights the generational and societal differences between these two women in ways we don't often consider. It also brings them closer together. The wound that won't heal on her foot is truly insignificant to the decades-long pain Marguerite has carried in her heart. Making peace with her past allows her final stage to play out thanks in part to the tender compassion shown by Rachel.

Marianne Farley is a French Canadian known mostly as an actress, yet this, her second short film as director creates a deep connection despite minimal dialogue between the two women. Cinematographer Marc Simpson-Threlford expertly uses lighting, color and framing to guide us through. C'est beau.