Aline (II) (2020) User Reviews

A great enjoyable movie

[gord_muir · 7/10 · 15 March 2022]

Where the heck did the low ratings for this movie come from? It is fabulous.

There is humour, love, great music and some very good acting. Everything a person could want in a movie, and its a tear jerker, which I kind of like too.

I have always loved Celine's voice, but not so much her choice of songs. IMHO if her song choice was better she would have been a total rocket.

This movie lets us see and understand the inner workings of Celine in a very profound way. From her humble beginnings and the stumbling blocks she had to overcome to achieve her goals.

Also her love and marriage to her manager. When I first heard of it I admit I wondered.. quite the age gap. However if things really went the way the movie portrays them, then I'm 100% on board. Love cannot be dictated.

In all this is a first rate movie, ignore the haters and their whining about trivialities, this is a movie that should not be missed.

from an early age

[ferguson-6 · 5/10 · 7 April 2022]

Greetings again from the darkness. Ana Gasteyer's "Saturday Night Live" parody of Celine Dion not-so-humbly announcing herself as "the greatest singer in the world" was brilliant sketch comedy and good for a hearty laugh. All these years later, filmmaker Valerie Lemercier cast herself as the lead in this unofficial biopic "inspired by" the story of Celine Dion. It's a fictionalized account co-written with Brigitte Buc that sticks to the real story in some parts, while also being a bit creepy and serving up a quasi-horror film sensation in others. You might ask, "How can the story of Celine Dion" have anything to do with horror?", and well the answer is that Ms. Lemercier (a woman in her 50's), plays the fictionally named Aline Dieu at ALL ages (thanks to some CGI). Seeing that face on the young girl peering up at her family on stage is as creepy and discomforting as any screen image we will see this year.

It's no accident that Lemercier's character is named Dieu, which is French for God. She clearly worships the real Ms. Dion, and this is intended as a loving tribute to the singer. Aline Dieu is the 14th child born into a French-Canadian family. Many of the family members perform as a singing act ... think The Osmonds or the Cowsills, and Aline is still young when her amazing vocal talent is discovered and becomes a featured part of the performances. Her headstrong mother, Sylvette Dieu (played by Danielle Fichaud), is very protective of her youngest child and is involved as the family contacts a well-known talent manager named Guy-Claude Kamar (Sylvain Marcel).

Aline becomes a teenage singing sensation, and of course, later becomes an international icon, especially after singing the TITANIC (1997) song, "My Heart Will Go On". The film tracks the meteoric rise of her career, but as in real life, much of the focus is on the relationship between Aline and Guy-Claude (obviously the stand-in for Rene Angelil). They first met when she was 12, and despite the 26-year age gap, a love developed that resulted in marriage years later (when she was of legal age). Aline's mother's reaction to this relationship was disgust - in a funny kind of way. She felt her princess deserved better than "an old prune". We also learn of Aline's vocal cord scare, the couple's initial struggles to have kids, and how he focused on the business side to protect her ... a cause he remained devoted to because of his heart condition. A big part of this was the infamous Las Vegas residency, which has since been copied by many artists.

Despite the success and brilliant artistry, there is a certain sadness to a woman who seemed quite isolated from everything but her family. This point is driven home when she admits to never have seen the city where she's been performing, and the fact that she seems to have no friends outside of her makeup artist Fred (Jean-Noel Broute). Ms. Lemercier does a fine job capturing the various looks and style over the years, and her movements on stage are spot on. She lip-syncs to the familiar songs ... sung not by Celine, but rather Victoria Sio. The movie will likely work best for fans of Celine Dion, while others may not recover from the Act I creep factor.

Opening in theaters on April 8, 2022.

celine dion lite.

[cdcrb · 7/10 · 8 April 2022]

Fictional account of celine dion's life. Sorta. I don't know, maybe it's the world situation. But you won't feel worse for having seen this movie. The actress playing the fictional aline is very good. Mostly from the canadian point of view. There was a lot of juicy gossip in the u.s., as well.

EUROVISION winner Celine DION

[ZeddaZogenau · 7/10 · 8 February 2024]

Don't go without me! The fabulous life of Celine DION

As a die-hard EUROVISION Song Contest fan, you obviously can't ignore this unauthorized film biography of Celine DION (here as: Aline DIEU). And director and leading actress Valerie LEMERCIER does her job impeccably. All of Celine's stations and poses are there. And the viewer now understands her unusual family (14 children in rural Quebec) better. Of course, there is also the triumph in Dublin when the still awkward Celine DION won the EUROVISION Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988: Ne partez pas sans moi!

The only thing that takes some getting used to is that LEMERCIER also embodies her beloved star as a child and teenager. It has something of the Hobbit style of Peter Jackson. But no matter, you get used to it! By the way, Victoria SIO provides the almost perfect singing. Your heart will go on, no matter how impressively the TITANIC sinks!

Wonderful tribute to the legendary EUROVISION winner from Quebec, Canada!

I love Celine Dion but....

[crystal_morey-62-489142 · 6/10 · 16 September 2022]

I tried watching this movie on 4 different devices and the subtitles would not work even though it States that subtitles are available. The only subtitles that work is when somebody is already singing that is not the supposed "Aline". For example subtitles will let me know when a microphone is crackling or somebody is laughing. Get that fixed! Another issue is the fact that it's kind of creepy that they took a middle aged woman and put her on the body of a 4 or 5 year old in the movie. The movie Celine was much more interesting to watch and more entertaining. Director could take a cue and learn.

Can't stop laughing

[jacquelinesandra-34671 · 3/10 · 17 March 2022]

I am sorry but they completely lost me after 10min..... why on Earth would they decide to put Valerie Lemercier's face on a 12yo girl's body. This is the most ridiculous thing I have seen!

This biopic is really boring which is a shame.....

Loved It

[notuticuti · 9/10 · 28 September 2022]

I have been a fan of Celine Dion since her first hits and growing up in Montreal followed her career.

This movie is not a serious movie. It is however a movie that shows how amazing her story is. The humor reminded me of an old show La Famille Plouffe. The love story between Celine and Renee was carried off well.

I loved that they used some of the songs that made her a star.

They really "got" life in Quebec.

I loved the movie so much I tried to watch it in English and couldn't it was so bad.

Sure there were some decisions that were odd ( ie using Valerie Lemericier's face on a young girl) however when you look at it for what it is a creative endeavor it was a good decision because of her look and her voice. When I tried to watch it in English the young girl playing Celine although a good singer in no way captured Celine Dion the way Ms Lermercier did. The end song is amazing. Watch Aline in French but don't waste your time with Celine in english.

This is an entertaining light tribute to a superstar.

They put an elder woman in a child's body- very weird

[rawsonjames · 1/10 · 24 July 2022]

Put an elder woman in a child's body- very weird I've never seen anything like this. Rather than cast someone playing this girl as a child they shrunk an elderly woman Into a childs body. It's the most off putting thing I've ever seen. I was looking forward to this Celine inspired film, but I think even Celine would have asked a child or younger actress to portray a younger her. Not expecting CGI but not a 56 Yr old woman playing a young child. More like a horror film than anything else.

Pleasantly surprised!

[andresaintamant-57120 · 8/10 · 15 September 2022]

I was expecting so much worst. I actually enjoyed it and I think it's a nice hommage to Céline Dion work and career! Some bits are a bit folkloric, exactly what you would expect from what the French think of Québec, "ma cabane au Canada". It would of been even better if the local accent was better. It was fast paced and Valérie Lemercier did a good job, even as some mentioned, playing a 12 years old girl is a bit strange. I found some funny parts too, only locals would know, like when talking about Ginette Reno and that local reporter Mme Lévesque. It is not meant to be a biopic so all the people that write that it's not accurate and so on, just stop watching! The choice of music was good too. As a local Montréaler we kind of grew up along with Céline so it was nice to hear and a nice reminder of all of her so many successes both in French and in English! Overall 2 thumbs up and it's an easy 2 hours to go.

Train wreck.

[vetoatreides · 3/10 · 23 January 2022]

Valerie Lemercier may genuinely love Celine Dion, but casting herself as Celine from age 13 to adulthood was a huge mistake. She's obviously too old and her Québécois accent is completely off. They bafflingly decided to "deep fake" Lemercier's 57 years old face on a child actress for a few scenes ant the result is terrifying. Lemercier also makes Celine sound like a simpleton. It's a shame because she is surrounded by talented Québécois actors who do their best despite their characters having ridiculous made-up names and lines.

Ridiculous

[andreanneinfo · 1/10 · 23 January 2022]

Unfortunately for the Québécois public, this movie looks like a satire or comedy of Céline's life. The accents are horrible. It is so weird to see Valérie as a young Céline. It's just disappointing and doesn't honor Céline's life and career.

Brilliant!

[stjernholm-903-575777 · 9/10 · 27 September 2022]

I am not a Celine Dion fan as such, but I have seen enough material (concerts, interviews) to know that this movie is really well done. Especially the two leading characters that does an amazing job portraying Celine and her husband through time.

The movie dies not try to be a biography, and is BASED on Celine Dions life. It flirts with all the things that are publicly known, the love story, the huge family she grew up in, becoming an adult, becoming a star, becoming a mother, becoming a widow.

I found Valerie Lemercier to do a mesmerising job portraying Celine in different stages of her life, by really capturing the soul of her psychical presence.

Many critics seem to miss the point, that not all stars are crazy drug addicts, but that there is also more balanced people in the entertainment business, just doing what they love being supported by other good people. Thats not boring, thats inspiring.

Again, the viewer needs to accept, that this film is not a biopic, and just enjoy what is very tightly based on the highlights of a living stars career and life.

It never goes into intimate detail, but is a very enjoyable and well executed film. A love letter to a kind soul, and the power of good people.

Terrible

[linda-glass · 4/10 · 22 February 2022]

The trailer looked good but the movie is a painful experience 😢. The actors try their best to make this movie somewhat enjoyable but the story just fails to hit the right notes throughout. It's also a comedy which is not funny... skip it.

Truly loved this film, inspired me

[Hopedoesnotdie · 8/10 · 16 April 2022]

It's not perfect but I loved this movie so much. Was funny and moving. All the actors who played her family were so good, especially the mother, she was an amazing actress. It was inspiring to see, to be a star, Celine always knew how. It showed why only some people truly shine, the fearless bravery-philosophically-getting out of your own way. Celine was never in her own way and always had the support of a loving family and grew up surrounded by music. Her life was a perfect storm for talent to soar. I wish I had that, such a good loving supportive mother who believed in her so much. I think part of what makes a talent make it commercially is having the right people believe in you.

I didn't know Celine was born as a 50 year old woman..

[tapdog89 · 3/10 · 3 August 2022]

Ok, that was a joke.. But still, who decided to have the same actress playing Celine, or Aline, at all ages? The CGI face on a little girl's body is just hilarious to look at. I want to like the movie, but her face makes it very difficult. The voice is wrong to, especially for a child. But since her name is Aline, and the disclaimer says it's partially fictional I guess it's ok.. The actress is talented, but she didn't do a good Celine before the part where she is a grown woman.

The movie is charming, funny and very interesting, but it would benefit from having a child actress doing the first part. Second part is in fact fine!

Creepy!

[Holli_Would · 1/10 · 2 July 2022]

Why would Valérie Lemercier CGI her ADULT face on a child? Was this supposed to be a weird comedy role? Such a strange choice and surprised no one on her team said anything against it. Makes this film ridiculous.

Stopped watching after 10 minutes. Just...no.

Aline Dieu = Love Letter To Celine Dion

[rkeilitz-19-537915 · 8/10 · 25 March 2022]

Aline is a French-Canadian drama film, directed by Valérie Lemercier and released in 2021. A fictionalized portrayal of the life of Céline Dion, the film stars Lemercier as "Aline Dieu", a Canadian singer who rises to international superstardom.

I usually avoid movie musicals like the plague but I was very surprised how good this tribute to Céline Dion was. It is done with class, sensitivity and sophistication and just tells it like it is. Not sure why the reviews were ugly and the haters had a field day about it.

Cringeworthy

[Ana_Banana · 1/10 · 26 June 2022]

I couldn't stand it in one viewing (on TV), I had to watch its halves separately, out of mere curiosity and amazement. Not to mention the extremely dubious CGI of Ms. Lemercier as a young girl, this movie is choke-full of clichés almost to the point of ridicule.

It has all the necessary bland lines and situations to be checked in any lame fictionalized ascension of a human canary from rags to riches. It's like an involuntary comedy, or a hidden spoof, not just of Céline Dion, but of all biopics with a musical subject theme.

Is Ms. Lemercier such a big star to be allowed to do anything? Speaking of fictionalized biopics, 'Walk Hard' is incomparably better than this forgettable flick because it's a honest spoof with real humor, be it low brow.

Oh, and by the way, to add blasphemy to cringe, the heroine's name Dieu means God in French.

Wonderful!

[kevingn · 9/10 · 29 March 2022]

I have always been a big fan of Celine Dion. I really admire someone who is blessed with such a wonderful voice and works hard to train it. I was extremely excited about this movie, and I was not disappointed! If you like Celine, this is a great movie to see.

So bad it's insulting!

[rigo222 · 4/10 · 8 September 2022]

Valérie Lemercier on a major power trip to live the life of Céline Dion. It's ridiculous, not even funny, not accurate, so it fails to be a comedy and it certainly is not a biopic. Just a French woman wanting to live a dream life (by playing Celine on the big screen) and by doing that, only manages to make bad jokes about the Quebecois people, and their accent. Insulting at most. Ridiculous at best. Weird directorial choices, bad impersonating, bad lip syncing to the songs, bad storyline. No real depth to any of the characters. Don't waste your time. Wait for a real biopic or pick another French comedy.

Nobody dared telling Valerie she was creepy, and just self absorbed

[blietommy · 1/10 · 30 July 2022]

Valerie Lemercier told the press she HAD to play the Main caracter because she was bullied about how she looked, and about her nose when she was younger. That just makes no sense at all. She just wanted AS much screen time AS possible. Her decision should have been changed by someone, since its the biggest reason WHY this movie flopped BIG TIME. How could the sitt AS a group and watch this together and nobody had the balls to tell Valerie that this was insane...seeing a 5 year old girl lying in bed, with Botox in her lips is just plain creepy, and where she is singing in the wedding, beeing shot with the camera from a distance showing of her face that is way to long for her body is plain disturbing. This is what happens when you give a narzisist too much power over a production. I didnt react so much since i thought this was a parody, but when i realized they acctually were serious about the movie i had to turn it of... Must be the dumbest production i have ever seen... No wonder Celine wants nothing to do with this absolute disaster of a movie.

Fun, fun, fun

[lucdrouin · 9/10 · 5 February 2022]

It has been a long time since I had so much good simple fun watching a film. Aline is the story of a simple nice girl who is catapulted into fame and riches, thanks to her voice, her hard work, her determination, her capacity to endure pressure, her astute manager and later husband, and her dedicated mother. From the get-go, we are warned that artistic licence has been taken to inject humoristic elements into the narrative. So, instead of a stale documentary about Céline Dion, we are entertained with a funny biography of fictional Aline Dieu. Unless secondary humour eludes you, you are bound to have a good time. I give high marks to this film, not for its cinematography that is well conducted but not exceptional, but for its skilfulness to elicit positive feelings about the heroin. You will never think the same way about Céline after watching Aline, you might even love her.

Horrible lack of respect towards one of the greatest singers of all time

[paul31415 · 1/10 · 3 September 2022]

A talentless French actress with a minimal portfolio decided to direct and star in a movie about one of the greatest singers of all time, Celine Dion.

Because Celine wouldn't have anything to do with this trainwreck of a movie she was renamed Aline Dieu.

The results are catastrophic. Celine is in real life an very intelligent and funny person, with a heart of gold. This Lemercier fraud managed to picture her as a peasant simpleton with no charm, wits or anything in her head.

Also, Celine is a stunningly beautiful lady. Lemercier poured her own traumas of the ugly person that she is into the character.

The idiotic Aline Dieu character has nothing to do with Celine Dion.

Someone please do Celine justice and make a movie that would really picture her and her life in the right way.

Marvelous

[Aatchoum · 10/10 · 17 November 2021]

Marvelous tribute to Celine Dion, very well directed and acted by the french Valerie Lemercier and a few great canadian actors and actresses. For those who expect a concert of Celine Dion, it is absolutely not. The movie is inspired by parts of the professional and private life of the world famous popular star, probably the best singer of all time, from childhood till nowadays. With humor, tenderness and great respect. It's quite a moving film : if you like to cry when you go to the cinema, don't miss it.

Could have made this a lot better...creepy

[stinalindbergh · 1/10 · 5 August 2022]

Horrible acting even though she is similar to Celine Dion, but creepy as h*ll seeing this old woman's face on a child's body. That was a HUGE mistake. How could they allow that? It ruins the whole feeling in the movie from the start. They should have had a younger actress in the beginning who was actually a child. The main actress fits looks wise and knows some of her mannerisms but isn't capable of quality acting. The man playing the husband is way better. I don't recommend the movie....