La famille Bélier (2014)

	Also Known As: Verstehen Sie die Béliers?
	Year of first release: 2014
	Director: Eric Lartigau
	Actors: Louane Emera, Karin Viard, Francois Damiens
	Country: F
	Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
	Conditions of visioning: 10.08.2016, DVD on TV, German version
Synopsis: Paula Bélier lives in a farm with her parents Gigi (Viard) and Rodolphe (Damiens) and her little brother Quentin. As she is the only one not deaf, she has many tasks in the family. When her choir teacher asks her to pass the exam to the elite choir of Maison de Radio France she is confronted to the dilemma. Farm life with her parents or singing career.
Review: I wanted to watch the movie because it was a great success in France. I find it original that most of the characters do not speak. Even so, the story is interesting and nicely told until the end. The story is actually simple and the challenge remains in the conditions. Songs and few dialogues. It is good to see the contrast of farm life and city life without giving any bad prejudice on the one or the other. The story focuses on the development of Paula via the singing. There are many songs, by luck all in French. The characters manage to communicate even without words. The dialogues are kept simple. The face and body expressions are more on focus and it is impressive. And the emotions are well transmitted by these. Paul's emotions are transmitted by the songs and the great voice of Louane. Actually almost nice emotions and thoughts are given. Without being disturbing it feels like the story is a bit flat. This is a nice comedy with challenging conditions and lots of simple and good emotions.
Rating: 5 /10