Therese

Can't believe how the reviewers on this page overlook some serious subtexts in this film. It's a dark movie and the setting is so stark and minimal it could have been on a stage or filmed in black and white. However, I can understand devout people getting swept up with the film because of the actress who plays Therese--I have seen all available photos of St. Therese and this actress looks just like her, down to the rosebud lips. Luke Films also recently came out with a film on St. Therese that will make traditional Catholics happy, but its American actress who plays the lead role is a far cry from this one. She is thoroughly French yet has all the sweetness, spiritual romanticism, and innocent exuberance Therese of Lisieux emits from her autobiography. However, these French film makers certainly make their late twentieth century, post-Christian European statement on the mentality of a turn of the century Carmelite nunnery. One young nun who is obviously rather mental apparently also has some lesbo hots for Therese, but her angst leads her to escape via a knotted cloth as if she's in a prison (I read the autobiography several times as a teen and don't recall Therese ever mentioning any "jail-break"). The cranky old nun Therese wrote about is featured in this film and with impressive detail. The film depicts a bizarre spectacle of the nuns at Christmas taking turns cradling and dancing about with a creche figure of the Baby Jesus as if it were a real baby, as if we're being told these nuns are acting out their repressed and thwarted motherhood. There are indeed other messages the makers plug in this setting of severity that seems more like S&M to people of our generation and it was possible such holy self-abuse prematurely killed Therese who died of TB in her early 20s. I'm not defending such extremes that Carmelites of that time performed--in fact, rather than such unnecessary extremes, I'd prefer along with the doctor (the voice of the film maker?) who says "This place should be burned down"--but just be forewarned of the film maker's subliminal commentaries.Nevertheless, I found this film was very worth seeing and buying if watched with a critical eye. Besides the excellent performance of this actress who portrayed one of my favorite saints, I was very touched and deeply stirred by how the film showed the great love and affection among the Martin sisters (Therese had two or three sisters in the convent), especially how one sister was the embodiment of perfect love, empathy, and attentive care for Therese as she suffered in great misery in her final stage of tuberculosis. Parents who have to contend with kids obsessed with sibling rivalry should sit them down and show them that beautiful scene.

Before I saw this title in the Vatican’s list of great films, I had not heard of it or its director. When I first looked at the list of 45 films, there were only 11 that I had not seen, so I decided to look for them. Most were easy enough to get a hold of, but three of these films were out of print and particularly difficult to find: _Thérèse_ (Alain Cavalier, 1986) and the two I’m still missing, _Ordet_ (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1955) and _Napoleon_ (Abel Gance, 1927). Even though it was a bit more expensive than what I’m usually willing to pay for a film, I decided to get a copy of _Thérèse_. The excellent reviews, one of them from Roger Ebert, told me that I did not want to miss the chance to see this film.The difficulties of making a film based on the life of a saint are so evident one need hardly mention them. It would seem at first sight that the audience would be composed primarily of Catholics, half of whom would probably dislike the film either because it is too liberal or because it is too conservative. And yet, the canon of aesthetically great films includes several lives of saints. Few enthusiasts of cinema will deny the power and the value of _The Passion of Joan of Arc_ (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1928), _Monsieur Vincent_ (Maurice Cloche, 1947), and _The Flowers of St. Francis_ (Roberto Rossellini, 1950), to name only a few. _Thérèse_ is a brave modern attempt to follow the footsteps of these great films, and in doing so it gracefully joins their ranks._Thérèse_ is, quite simply, a series of episodes in the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux from the moment she decides to join the Carmelites up to her death from tuberculosis at the age of 24. The film, then, covers a period of roughly ten years. We see Thérèse interacting with her father, her sisters (all of whom became Carmelites too), and the other nuns in the order. Most importantly, however, we see her treading the path to sainthood, with all the joys and struggles that it entails.The film has been praised for its objectivity. Alain Cavalier, most critics agree, does not take sides: he presents the life of Thérèse in a series of episodes and allows the viewers to form an opinion of her. I understand what is meant by this, and to a certain point I agree. The film does not look like it was made for the sanctification of souls; neither does it tarnish the image of the most popular Catholic saint after Francis of Assisi. At the same time, let’s not forget Godard’s famous axiom: “le travelling est affaire de morale.” There is an ethical implication in every aesthetic decision. _Thérèse_ is an objective film, yes, but the choice of subject, the mise en scène, the cinematic approach, and the performances point to the fact that Thérèse was an exceptional human being and a great saint.Regarding the mise en scène, the film is notorious for doing away with background. The viewer will feel that he/she is watching a play. The purpose is to emphasize the fact that what we are watching is a film. Traditionally, films seek to draws us into their fictional world to such a point that we suspend our disbelief and become part of that world. Why would a film go against this basic principle? One possible answer is that this film wants us to remain sufficiently detached from what we are viewing as to be able to appreciate it intellectually, not emotionally. In addition, the filmmakers might be reminding us that cinema and life will never be the same thing, especially when we are talking about an exceptional human being. Incidentally, María Luisa Bemberg would follow this same “theatrical” approach four years later when making _I, the Worst of All_, about the life of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.The episodic structure is truly effective. It would have been quite easy for the filmmakers to present Thérèse’s story as a seamless narrative: once again, we are talking about a time span of less than ten years in the life of a cloistered nun. As I wondered why Cavalier may have chosen this particular structure, I was reminded of stained glass windows and icons depicting the lives of saints. They usually consist of a large image of the saint surrounded by small images depicting important episodes in his/her life. _Thérèse_, then, follows the ancient tradition of Catholic iconography, adapting it to cinematic language.The performance by Catherine Mouchet is simply a tour de force. She looks like the real Thérèse, and she makes her words come alive. Above all, she conveys the saint’s simplicity, enthusiasm, and self-sacrifice. Supporting actors and actresses have obviously been carefully chosen too. _Thérèse_ strikes me as the kind of film that looks simple but in fact required much effort. Paradoxically, simplicity is one of the most difficult qualities to convey.Finally, I loved the way the film depicted ritual. A few years ago I saw _Into Great Silence_ (Philip Gröning, 2005), a three-hour documentary about life in the Grand Chartreuse. What this excellent, unforgettable documentary shows is real life in a monastery; _Thérèse_ manages to suggest much of that in less than 90 minutes. Let me emphasize this: suggestion is the key when it comes to _Thérèse_. We are used to films that do all the work for us. _Thérèse_ involves us and allows us to think and to feel for ourselves.This beautiful, understated film has drawn me closer to a saint I had not approached before. It has inspired me and awoken in me the desire to read Thérèse’s _Story of a Soul_. If you read French, you may find a free Kindle version of her works here on Amazon.Next on my list, _Napoleon_ (Abel Gance, 1927).Thanks for reading, and enjoy the film!

Fortunately for me, I know her story.But for those that don't know it very well I fear they will be lost as the movie just bounces from scenes from her life. I'm sure it's a low budget movie because the scenes appear to be done on a stage. I love St. Therese immensely and I think it could have been done better.

This moving film was created by an atheist, and depicts the life of Therese of Lisieux, now recognized as a saint. It is filmed in a series of short vignettes, with simple sets. It is in the french language but also has a dubbed version. There are some scenes that are hard to watch as she undergoes great suffering from illness. Overall I would rate this as a better film than the more recent "Therese" about the same subject, though the target audience may be different.Some creative license is taken with the story (including an invented character), but overall it creates a compelling portrait of the young saint and her desire to be united to Jesus despite seemingly innumerable obstacles. The pacing is slow, even dreamlike at times.Watching this movie will focus the viewer on contemplating what a person will do for love, especially love of a God they cannot see, and how to love one's neighbor. I would recommend this to people of faith and those seeking, especially as material for reflection on a retreat, etc.

I loved the whole film. It was beautiful and very touching,. Therese was depicted as a real live saint, full of joy and goodness. I loved that it was based on Scripture , especially on The Song of Songs. I look forward to watching it again and again.

An absolute delight to watch.The minimalist approach to the sets works extremely well with the subject matter, and this is a masterpiece by Alain Cavalier.

The film arrived very quickly and was in good condition and gave me great pleasure to view. Thank-you.

Pleased with purchase and the service offered for which many thanks.

Buenos días, Si bien el guionista mete algunas escenas fantasiosas, no constan exactamente, según mis informaciones en ningún escrito sobre Santa Teresa de Lisieux, la película es muy emotiva y capta la sencillez del "camino de la infancia espiritual" de la "petite Thérèse" (nombre con que ella misma quiso ser denominada). Thérèse es firme y valiente. Su enfermedad es un calvario a imitación de Jesús, y con mucho en común con otro santo universal como Francisco de Asís. Recomendada para personas que no se dejan llevar por la mojigatería con que algunas veces y falsamente esta gran santa fue representada. El rostro de la actriz protagonista nos hace recordar bien el que nos sido transmitido por fotos. Una imagen pacífica y al tiempo de carácter, como también lo fue su antecesora, la "gran Teresa" de Jesús (Teresa de Ávila).P.S. ¡Es lamentable que en la cartulina de la caja del DVD se les ha colado dos veces "Thèresé",¡ay!, que es un error propio de la ignorancia que actualmente abunda de la lengua francesa, barrida por la imposición feroz del inglés, no obstante continuar siendo aquella una lengua internacional y de prestigio!Cordialmente.