The Bélier Family (2014)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

The family is a deaf family, so it has great critical reviews and reviewer hypeWhat the movie does not have is an actress with an amazing singing voice, the girl with the 'undiscovered' voice would never make it past the first round of a talent showI figured to so this review in case anyone is actually interested in the singing quality. The main actress is supposed to be this exhausted farm girl, but she always looks like a well rested girl who is pretending to be tired. The angle on the rest of the family is unique, I will give it that.With some effort they could have found a girl with a great voice, but i guess they succeeded with the movie on the disability angle

What a joy this film is, so fresh and honest about family life, the traumas of being a teenager and, of course, with the extra dimension of an insight into life for those without speech or hearing. There are clichés of course, such as that gesticulating constantly makes people appear a bit goofy (witness the parents), nevertheless it's comedy gold and I always felt we were laughing with them rather than at them. A bit sentimental at times too - I defy anyone not to reach for a tissue at the end - but overwhelmingly good-hearted, even inspirational. Great singing too by the lead actor as she follows her dream to go professional.

The story is pretty simple, but that is precisely why it is very impactful. The film does not go into that much detail of how the family grew up, or tell the back story of the parents, but it works because Paula is the driving force of the family. She's the one we should be focusing our attention on. Much like her character is there to support her family, the rest of the cast is pretty much supporting her. The dynamics of this family is very well established, and the chemistry between them superb. You can feel the love they have for each other, and it is precisely because there is less talk that there is more feels. They have to work extra hard to express themselves which made the film refreshing to watch. The entire cast of the family did their parts really well. Elmosnino and Duran as the music teacher and best friend also did well in bringing certain dynamics to the film.The script is well written, and going in, I did not expect the film to be so comedic. The screenplay is not corny or awkward, as some films nowadays tend to be. And because Paula must translate conversations between her family and outsiders this makes for some funny 'lost-in-translation' remarks. While I do like the simplicity of the story, it was also quite predictable. The ending comes as no surprise, but I do not mind that so much because it is how they got there that's important. The singing as well is excellent. Emera, was discovered on the talent show 'The Voice', and her voice is absolutely beautiful.

Looked like a normal drama, but I had a lot of laughs in the first half. And it was a completely opposite in the second part where it touched me deeper. It has been months I haven't had tears in my eyes for a movie. This was an excellent family movie with lots of good things about life and family in it. This was the closest one I ever got to one of my recent favourite music-drama from the Canada, 'Gabrielle'. There's no major comparison between the two, but similar movies with different characters and settings. The theme wise it was another version of 'Billy Elliot' for sure.This was not about your typical rural family. It was a rarest where they are going to witness the next stage of the life's journey as a united family as well as individually. Being a member in a deaf family, especially when everyone somewhere, somewhat depends on you is a task needs devotion. But when you realise you are gifted with something valuable, what will you do and how your the family reacts. That's what the story is and illustrated with excellent bunch of characters.Like I said earlier, the end scene will test your emotional level, but hard to hold it back, especially you are a kindest in nature. If you are having it with a numerous disturbances and lost concentration, then it will become an ordinary movie. One of the reasons for the mean people to say 'I'm a grown up man'. Does not mean men won't cry, but some they just hide it, that's all. In a such occasion when you are uncomfortable showing your emotions, then I recommend you go for it alone and have a good time."Being deaf does not excuse everything."It is not unusual for a movie to have the flaws, some will be neglectably small, but some will be strongly visible. It was the sign language that leaves a blank page as an invisible dialogue that we never get. I had a tough time understanding some parts of the movie. Instead, understanding the lines that said with gestures, I managed to follow the situation of the story and the scene. It would have been the same even it was an English language movie, hardcore subtitle would have been a better solution.In the middle, the narration failed to keep up the momentum. Barely any interesting stuff occurs. It was a time when in the storytelling to take place a leap. Apparently only for that instant, but once you complete your watch, it does not seem much affected portion in the film. Interesting, the story began to break into multiple and tried to move in all the direction. Election campaign, brother's crush on his sister's friend, like that. But cleverly held back to the one line for the sentimental conclusion.Does not feel like it was the first film for the lead girl Paula. She might have missed the title in 'The Voice' competition, but she has won an award for her lovely role in this movie. I am not a French nor English nor from the other Euro zone, and I don't know the songs from the movie, but loved them all. The lyrics were so good, especially that final song. A highly recommended movie for the families.9/10