User Reviews

Since the moment I watched the trailer I told myself: "I have to see this movie." And it was worth it. Sometimes you don't need cars exploiting, a super mega plot twist, fantasy creatures or a whole new fictional world, sometimes you just need a heartwarming movie like this one. This is a nice film to see with your family, partner or friend. It has romance, comedy and a great ending. The movie gives you a different perspective of a unique family that like every other family has to deal with their own problems and issues. I give it an 8 because I felt they rushed to get to the conclusion but besides that the rest is great. The music and the way Eric portrayed it in the movie was amazing. Go watch it in theaters and let Louane Emera's voice take your breath.

A hearing daughter, Paula Belier (Louane Emera), was born to deaf parents and has a younger deaf brother in rural France. Being fluent in sign language and French, she acts as the family interpreter and bridge to the outside world – whether it is a doctor's appointment or dealing with customers in the market when they sell their farm produce.

Not only can Paula speak, but she also has a gift in singing, as discovered by her music teacher, who decides to train her and a fellow classmate for admission into the Maitrise de Radio France, an elite choir in Paris. Now Paula has to struggle between leaving the family for Paris to pursue her dream in singing or stay home to care for her family who depends so much on her. In the meantime, there seems to be some teenage romance going on …

Very swift tempo and lots of comedy when Paula links her family with the world outside. But it gets serious and tear jerking when we witness her torn between fulfilling her dreams and leaving the family she loves. It gets touching when her deaf father begins to "hear" her sing and finally realizes their daughter need to live her own life.

Totally entertaining and absolutely moving with beautiful singing. The songs fit beautifully with the script. Also great acting from the cast, especially Louane Emera who sings like an angel. Paula's parents and younger brother are very convincing too. Highly recommended and bring some tissue paper.

"I am not fleeing, I'm flying. Understand well, I'm flying"

There are times when a film can hit close to home making it hard to review objectively because it has spoken to you in a very personal manner. That is the case with Eric Lartigau's French film, La Famille Belier, which centers on a family who are all deaf and mute except for their adolescent daughter who has become an important part of their life since she serves as their translator to the outside world. The family owns a farm and sells cheese at the local market. Despite of their disabilities, Gigi (Karin Viard) and Rodolphe (Francois Damiens), are very cheerful and caring parents. Their daughter, Paula (Louane Emera), is a talented singer, but of course her parents don't understand what music means to people. When her choir director discovers her potential, he asks her to participate in an entrance exam for the Maitrise de Radio France, an elite school for musicians in Paris. This puts Paula in a very difficult position because she knows how much she is needed by her family, but she also realizes that this a great opportunity for her to do what she loves. She also has a smaller brother named Quentin (Luca Gelberg) with the same disabilities. The film connected with me on a personal level because my father had a stroke five years ago and hasn't been able to speak since. He understands everything and communicates through signs and expressions, but he can't speak. The right side of his body was affected as well and he has trouble moving his leg and has no movement in his arm. I've been his therapist and seen his improvements from day one. He's also been very upbeat, cheerful and full of faith with regards to his disability. I connected with Paula's character because I understood the sacrifice she makes everyday for her family, although I'm in no way talented with my singing. The reason I'm writing all this is because it is hard to review a film that touches you in such a personal way. The film doesn't have any brilliant technical aspects to it, the story is melodramatic and clichéd, the performances are sometimes over the top (but comedic nonetheless) and the music sometimes can play a key role into manipulating the mood of the audience. These are aspects of films that I usually criticize, but in this film none of that mattered because it was an emotional roller coaster for me personally. I was entertained from the very beginning and enjoyed the entire film despite its flaws.

The lead role is played by Louane Emera who has a beautiful voice without a doubt. She was actually a participant in the French reality TV show, The Voice. This is her first film, but she really delivers a natural and touching performance. Speaking of reality shows, the film actually feels like one at times. You know how they usually try to engage the audience by introducing a participant who had a troubled past and is overcoming the obstacles to achieve his or her dreams. That is kind of what they do here with the character of Paula, they are using her difficult life story to touch the audience and make us care for her. I didn't have a problem with that however because it worked here. It manages to be funny and sad at the same time and it balances out those moments throughout the entire film. There are many subplots that weren't developed and should've been left out, but I think they were included mostly for comedic purposes and to take away our attention from the main theme of the film. Take for instance the moment where Rodolphe decides that he is going to run for mayor. There are a few funny moments but the film doesn't go anywhere with that. There is also a subplot revolving around Quentin's relationship with one of Paula's best friends, but that also ends up going nowhere. Those subplots were included as a way to mix things up a bit and fool the audience as to which way the film was heading, because in the end it is a bit all too predictable and clichéd. However, the music in this film works extremely well and I ended up caring for these characters and the decisions they had to make. Karin Viard and Francois Damiens had great chemistry together and provided most of the comedy in the film. Viard goes a bit overboard with her exaggerated stagey performance, but it worked. La Famille Belier is a very charming feel-good movie full of funny and sincerely touching moments.

I watched this movie on a Sneak preview and I must admit that I was sooo relieved by its existence. And by the fact that such a movie will actually launch in the big cinemas (at least here, in Germany). Finally – a movie far from a blockbuster, obscene, moronic comedy or anything too pretentious. It is a family movie that you simply enjoy watching and relax while doing so.

The idea is quite original actually, as far as my knowledge of things goes. And honestly, I feel like we need more films like that which explore these ideas and the life of such families and people, but explore them exactly that way - so naturally, with such humour and gentleness. No mega-drama, life is sad and the world is a cruel place for people with disabilities stuff. Everything in the movie is realistic, from the characters to the crises and the conversations. I liked also very much the fact that I didn't find any of the characters especially attractive or better than the rest. They were… hello, normal!! And interesting and different and funny in their "normalness". Here I am talking for both character and looks.

So yeah, basically… I've never been good at reviewing a movie I like, so I can simply recommend it to everybody who wants a breath of fresh air after all the action-visual-effects-little-script stuff that Hollywood is showering us with.

Ps. I didn't know the main character has been a star in a singing show, but the songs and the music in the movie were truly enjoyable.

You want to watch the traditional super production, with special effects, super heroes, stunts, multi locations, etc.? then this is not the movie you are looking for. This great movie goes to the essence of a nice, loving, great family, who deal with human feelings in the most real, natural and believable way. A movie that will leave a great flavor. 100% worth to watch! Great acting, direction, photography, and of course, the soul of every movie, the script. More movies like this which show the bright side of life are needed, vs. the cinema that shows the sad reality of violence, crime, and stress. This last line is to fulfill the 10 lines required for a review. ;)

Don't expect to be blown away by this movie but expect an enjoyable time. Aside from a very TV movie like look and feel, this flick has got all the ingredients to make for a good watch: the main one being the plot. The moment you hear about it, you can't help but feel curious about it. A girl whose parents are deaf discovers that she has a gift of singing…And obviously her parents don't know or could not appreciate it…

As yo can suspect, she suddenly finds herself confronting a strange situation where she needs to decide if she is to stay with her family and continue with her school and farm life, or if she should move to Paris instead and pursue a singing career eventually.

In the other hand, the acting is not the best if you are a bit picky, but then it's true that playing a deaf person is probably not that easy (the Father is not deaf in real life). Also, some characters are a little too farcical in my opinion. But this movie is not made to be perfect, it's just designed to work well and be enjoyable and that's exactly what you get.

I enjoyed it and I am sure you will.

The Béliers are a pretty different family. They're deaf and mute. They live in the countryside and they are a loving family with two children. With one caveat: their daughter is their ears and voice.

As French cinema goes, this film is at its best. The performances, and the whole idea behind the film is so deep and so original, it will make you think twice about life.

It's pretty difficult for me to restrain on accolades and praise. The writers, the director, the crew and each and every actor on this piece are a team out of the ordinary. I mean, a film like this is what makes film making and story telling worth it. As it happens more often than not, French cinema is on the top list of the best films in the world. Sadly for those who expect lots of action, the French rarely oblige. They go deep into the soul of their characters. This is not a cute film, this is a serious work of art that transcends beliefs, races and countries. I would put it as one of those films not to be missed. Chapeau!

We were darling and I went out last night to the movies to see "Bélier Family" One we talked a lot, especially heard he must go see it! The first reason for my desire to see this film is that Damiens Francois there take a role. This is a player that I discovered it a few years now and I find him absolutely fabulous in particular in "Heartbreaker" with Vanessa Paradis and Romain Duris. Eric Elmosnino and Karin Viard are remarkable too, distribution is very perfect. The story of this young girl "Paula Bélier" embodied by Louane Emera is absolutely moving. If you decided to go see this movie you will be unable to hold your tears, this film was great for my darling and me

In a few words this movie is a real masterpiece. It is able to 'broadcast' so many beautiful messages via a surprising good sense of humor.

It places the viewer in the position of various characters living a completely different life and facing controversial problems. And all that is accomplished in a real comedy way..

I have never thought what it feels like to be deaf, this movie allowed me to 'live' that situation for a few minutes.

Isn't that the real meaning of filming? Placing viewers to positions that they couldn't be placed in real life..?

I adored this film for another reason too.. It shows to all of us that you can still film a masterpiece with a tight budget.

It seems that good filming isn't the exclusive privilege of wealthy productions. Budget in filming is like money in life.. it makes things easier but it doesn't guarantee success.

Well done my French friends, "Bravo" I shall be watching you!

George P.

There are plenty of Deaf people who love music and play music. I feel this movie is a stereotype, and the story is very old was controlled by hearing people. I am Deaf myself, and my hearing children love to play musical instruments.

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.

Paula is an average country-girl who discovers that she has the gift of singing. Her music teacher even suggests that he coaches her for a big audition, the Maîtrise of Radio France in Paris. The only snag is: Paula's entire family (mother, father and brother) are deaf, and they need her as a translator to the "hearing world".

This is actually a very conventional "I have a dream"-type movie which centers around real-life French casting show participant Anne Peichert aka Louane Emera, who plays a simple schoolgirl (albeit one with golden tresses and the looks of model) who comes up in the world and emancipates herself from her parents, has to deal with puberty, finding a boyfriend, and getting along with classmates and pesky teachers.

To add a bit of flair to the story, it is offset by the chaotic deaf family on the one hand, and the high-strung music teacher on the other. Karin Viard as the ditzy mother, Francois Damiens as the anarchist father and Eric Elmosino as the Michel-Sardou-worshipping music teacher are putting in extra shifts to save this movie from becoming a teenage shlockfest.

As someone who deals with hearing children of deaf parents (they're called CODA - Children Of Deaf Adults) professionally, I have to say that it's highly unusual for deaf parents to be so dependent on a translator or facilitator. They can usually read lips just fine.

But basically this is not a documentary but a movie squarely aimed at teenage girls.

I only watched this movie for the plump sexy French girl featuring in it. Her parents in the movie put me off for they came across like very childish in their behavior, in sheer contrast to the former actress. The movie made the parents come across like utter retards, deaf ape-like mongoloids who only want to have sex all day and night. I know it's not like that, but it certainly looked as if we were beholding some adolescent little bo-beep trying to "herd" her deaf and dumb flock of three. The paraphrased sentence in this movie "how did your parents cope before you were born?" is key essence. Without spoiling anything there, watch it and be disappointed. It kinda reminded me of that series with Corky Fletcher, the mongoloid/down syndrome bloke, and his parents and sister - this time from another angle. Deaf people are not stupid, but my personal experience is that they are spoiled, because the hearing pay too much attention to them. They have some serious issues.

Departing from an interesting premise - a deaf family and their communication difficulties with the hearing ones - this could have been a really interesting movie but sadly fails in many aspects. The Bélier family have a farm and all their members are deaf except their teenager daughter, who has to be the family's interpreter since they can not communicate with hearing people otherwise.

This is one of main flaws of the film. It is not believable that nor the father nor the mother have the skills to communicate with hearing people (how did they manage before their daughter was born?). Apparently they can not read lips nor learn to or have an interpreter. Too hard to believe. And so their daughter has to do this job apart of going to school and it begins to be too much for her, especially when she discovers singing at school and wants to sing professionally.

Another big flaw of the film apart of a peculiar -a bit gruesome - sense of humor, Departing from an interesting premise - a deaf family and their communication difficulties with the hearing ones - this could have been a really interesting movie but sadly fails in many asapects. The Bélier family have a farm and all their members are deaf except their teenager daughter, who has to be family's interpreter since they can not communicate with hearing people otherwise.

This is one of main flaws of the film. It is not believable that nor the father nor the mother have the skills to communicate with hearing people (how did they manage before their daughter was born?). Apparently they can not read lips nor learn to or have an interpreter. Too hard to believe. And so their daughter has to do this job apart of going to school and it begins to be too much for her, especially when she discovers singing at school and wants to sing professionally.

Another flaw of the film apart of its peculiar and a bit gruesome sense of humor is the way the family is shown. They seem more dumb than deaf. Obviously done for amusing purposes -and failing- the fact is that deafness is presented as a sort of short minded state if else that annoys rather than amuses. It was a good oportunity to show deaf people daily life wasted.

Several other things appear to be out of place and not funny at all (younger brother sex adventure or daughter first period) and all these things diminish films good intentions, wasting a good oportunity to enter in a different world with its own daily struggles and challenges. Should the script had shown these instead of being a mere parody it would have been far more interesting.

The ending scene with daughter singing in front of their parents using hand sign language while she sings so her family can understand what she is singing sure is a nice one -by the way, the original song is not about leaving home for good but a farewell note from a kid who is going to commit suicide resulting in some words being changed- but I rather much prefer the scene where she is singing in a school festival and her family has gone to watch to her. All of a sudden sound is off and we can have a glimpse of what being deaf really mean. Hearing no sound. Only watching her moving her lips. And then watching people applause. No sound at all. That was for me the best and most emotional scene of the movie. Really goose feather.

After the streak of french blockbuster comedies (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, Intouchables, Qu'est-ce qu'on a fait au Bon Dieu?) I had the impression that this one was a comedy too - but it's much more a sweet coming-of-age story, with some very funny moments thrown in. Plus there are some elements of the choir-film sub-genre - good choice, the human voice brings much emotion to the film.

Paula (played adorably by Louane Emera in I think her first feature) is the girl who is faced with the difficult decision - take the step from her family's farm and arms out into the world (= Paris, to work on her beautiful voice), or stay at home with them?

This is made more difficult by the fact that her parents and brother are all deaf-mute, so she feels very responsible (which means, of course, that she's making it difficult for herself, since, as her teacher points out - what were they doing before she was born?!). Thrown in is a little love story - which stays very background, surprising in a coming-of-age story but a good choice, because the film is all about Paula's step away from her family, not about the discovery of boys.

The deaf-mute theme is used for some gags, and to make it harder for Paula, but where it works best is in two scenes towards the end, none of them comedic but both very touching - in both cases it's about how the parents can (or can't) enjoy her daughters singing, an in both cases director/writer Eric Lartigau found perfect and satisfying solutions how to present this on screen - I don't want to spoil those scenes but you'll know what I mean when you see it.

The only weaknesses of this film are some small unexplored (and therefor unnecessary) side plots, and maybe an overplaying of the deaf-mute thing for comical effect which takes away some realism (needing an interpreter for the news on TV? really?) - but overall, highly recommended!

I can't tell you when French people lost their proverbial "joie de vivre" but the election of François Hollande sure didn't bring it back. And in a social fifty-shades-of-gray context, a small, predictable, and shamelessly formulaic film like "The Belier Family" could bring its rainbow of optimism and lift their spirits high enough to stop looking at their poo-shoes. The film is a crossover of "Intouchables" and "The Chorus", a hymn for acceptance and triumph of the human spirit with handicap and music as a backdrop.

Now, if I wanted to rate Eric Lartigau's noble intentions, out of ten I would give a 10, for the commercial motives, it would be 11. The magic of the film operated precisely because Lartigau knew the basic ingredients of the recipe: a cast made of popular names, the recent winner of "The Voice" (French TV version) in a role between Cinderella and the Ugly Duckling. The rest is a series of tropes making once again a mockery of adolescence. In fact, the film is less about teenagers than the idea Victoria Bedos who wrote the original story has on teenagers.

Name a cliché, it's there: they hate their parents, girls fall in love with the mysterious guy who doesn't talk much. The heroine Paula Bélier (Louane) is a misfit, her best friend Mathilde (Roxane Duran) seems like a lovable loser who accepts kissing a boy in the toilet (why not outside?) or letting Paula's brother (Luca Gelberg) include breast-palpating in language sign learning. Of course, you can't make a teenage story without every major step of the coming-of-age: and so in three or four months, Paula hits puberty, falls in love and knows what to do with her life, quite the late bloomer!

At that point, deafness is not a plot point but a moral argument: how dare you dislike a film that finally allow hard-hearing people to shine? Well, I'm not sure the script of Lartigau treats deafness with the sole respect it actually demands and instead tries to exploits it like the near-sigthedness of Mr. Magoo. Speaking of which, that's what the film lacked: a proper vision.

For instance, Paula is the bridge of communication between her parents -deaf farm owners- and the rest of the community. They live in a small village and yet some customers who come buy their cheese don't know they're deaf. Let's assume they live remotely but when Karin Viard who plays the dizzy mother keeps smiling after a customer's question, what does she expect the smile would do anyway? Wouldn't it be simpler if she just 'signed' that she couldn't speak? Worse, Paula doesn't tell the confused woman that her mother is deaf but makes a joke about it, we get it she is blasé and witty. It just doesn't feel real.

Lartigau doesn't care for realism anyway, nor simplicity but for effects and sometimes sacrifices the fluidity of the narrative for the sake of a joke. A visit to the gynecologist with a little teenager translating her parents' "troubles" is awkward but funny, but there's never a callback to that scene.

Let's forgive it because it was fun. One is unforgivable though: the whole subplot involving the father (François Damiens) running for mayor. The film makes such an effort to show the current mayor Lapidus (Stephan Wojtowicz) as a shady and corrupt politician, we want him to be beaten. But in fact, it's only a plot necessity to force Paula to miss a training appointment for an audition. Notice that once she misses the lesson, we don't hear anymore from the election.

There's also a subplot involving a love story with the other chorus soloist (Ilian Bergala) that of course must be spiced up with a conflict: and what do writers choose for that? Paula hitting puberty at the wrong time and her mother proudly harboring the "crime weapon". Which family would do such a humiliating thing? That was a major turn-off.

Ma and Pa Bélier behave in a way that oscillates between dim-wittedness and abuse, weakening the conflict with their daughter: they can't let her go because they need her and their deafness "allows" them to ignore her talent. In fact, had the plot trimmed all the peripheral elements and stuck to the parental conflict and the relationship with Mr. Thomasson (Eric Elsonimo), it could have worked better. But Lartigau wanted to milk the dumb teenage film formula to the extreme and make most of Paula's troubles resulting from one simple thing: she doesn't tell Thomasson that her parents are deaf.

Still, in 2014, the film was one of the most successful of the year, a popular success. Why? Maybe the casting, Viard playing it goofy, Damiens playing it straight, or maybe it's true there's something about Sardou's music. I concede there's a touching climactic scene that ties the plot together and offers the one great emotional moment in the film: the song "I Fly", the swan song of a boy about to commit suicide, translated -in the film- into the desire to leave the family nest. When Paula finishes, there's an ovation and the loudly whispered "Bravo" from Viard touched me so deeply I wish the film had a few moments like this, genuine, spontaneous and real.

As for Louane, as much as I enjoy her as a singer and as I feel sorry for her real-life story, she needed more coaching, something in the intonations of her voice felt like just 'reading' or trying to match the 'said' with the 'signed' and it could have been easily improved.

At the end this is a charming little film at best but if it wasn't for the American remake "CODA" being the Best Picture winner, I would have waited a little more. The film is good but doesn't fly very high, at least Paule does at the end, which is satisfying enough. I guess...

"On the one hand, Paula's pedestrian life of school, singing training, budding romance and earnest friendship rides on a familiar narrative trajectory with an engaging tempo (though her first period incident risks to be too crude); on the other hand, her family's unique "deafness" is deftly exploited to elicit many surprising responses, such as the heart-felt confession that "being deaf is an advantage!" from Paula's mother Gigi (Viard); the tactful foley arrangement offering a deaf person's perspective of "listening" and Rodolphe's tender touch of feeling her vocal chord when Paula belts out; to say nothing of the killer finale, when Paula simultaneously sings and gestures Michel Sardou's JE VOLE in the audition, that is magically tearjerking and uplifting at the same time."

read the full view on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks!

Before watching La Famille Bélier I thought I was going to have a couple good laughs because François Damiens plays in it and his sketches as François L'Embrouille on Youtube always make me laugh. But the quite opposite happened, him being deaf and mute in a family of deaf and mute is not the ideal scenario for laughing. But there are some funny moments. What is for sure is that La Famille Bélier is a roller-coaster of emotions. I'm not too shy to admit I had some tears rolling at one point, from happiness or sadness I don't know. The only thing I know is that I liked the movie even though it's not necessary the kind of movie I would go for normally. The story is pretty simple but effective. The cast is well chosen with some excellent acting. Basically it's a good story, a feelgood movie, and sometimes we need that.

I really liked the story. It's both inspiring and beautiful. It makes you realize how challenging it can be for deaf people to cope with society everyday life.

The cast is excellent. The voice of the girl is really stunning, so pure, you just stop breathing to focus on that voice. The parents are a bit annoying in their stubbornness but I suppose it's how their role was written.

This film reminded me about another (excellent) french movie: 'Intouchables (2011)', also about handicap Vs society. It was also funny and touching.

I decided to watch this movie as well, although like most, I guess, I watched CODA first. Although there are a lot of similarities, there are some differences between the films, but they are not so crucial. This is still a good feelgood film, but my impression is that the roles here are smaller, so to speak, and that the quality is still a bit worse.

Being a native French-speaker, I have watched A LOT of French movies. Yet how this particular one ended up at the top of the chart baffles me. It is predictable, it is cliché, it is flat. The performances are caricatural. The plot is uninteresting. I still stuck till the end to see if there was an interesting twist or SOMETHING that would justify its hype: nothing. It it is the most common coming of age teen movie and completely forgettable.