Aurore (2005)

Sadly Over-hyped

Charming and brutal

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.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

We watched this movie in class and I was crying for Aurore because no child should have to go through what she went through. Even though this event shaped how the world is today, I am so sad that a life had to be lost just for people to realize that there was something wrong in that household or many others. No this is not a hate comment in fact this movie showed me that even though everything may seem OK one should see for ones self if that is truly the case. If only they had gotten there just a little earlier. Maybe she would have lived but there is no use looking into the past, we must just hope to a better future. I certainly hope that what happened to Aurore does not happen to anyone else and if it does that that person can get assistance when Aurore could not.

There are too many formula films made in Canada where Chicago-wannabe Toronto masquerades as, well, Chicago. (Think "Big Fat Greek Wedding") Aurore is a Canadian film that tells a Canadian story well using the filmmaker's craft. It says a lot about the state of English film in Canada that this gem had to come out of Quebec. As the story unfolded, the film evoked two different emotions in me. The first emotion was shame that such terrible events could happen in this country. That says something about the film maker's fidelity to the facts and his ability to convey the brutal truth.The second emotion was pride that Canada could produce such a fine film. I grew up in Quebec and this film captures rural Quebec perfectly. Whether this film captures the period properly, I don't know as I wasn't around then but I feel it was almost perfect in the little touches such as the Prosecutor speaking English-accented French. There are a number of religious allusions in Aurore that are set out right at the start where the film is dedicated to Aurore who suffered so that other children shouldn't suffer from the same insanity. Aurore is portrayed as a Christ-figure with the priest as her very Judas Iscariot. The priest even commits suicide in a field , as did Judas.My only complaint with Aurore and why I didn't give it a 10 is the dull English subtitles. My French isn't very good but some of the subtitles are dull. When Aurore dies, the doctor pronounces "c'est fini" (It is finished, one of the Seven Words from the cross)which is translated as "It's over". The lousy subtitles may be the main reason why Aurore didn't get more attention in English Canada and the U.S.

I notice that I am the first person to post a comment from the U.S. What a SHAME that this movie has remained so limited in its access to a larger audience! If it wasn't for my family in Montreal, I would never have even known of this film's existence. Nevertheless, I was completely moved by this sad story of an innocent little girl's tragically painful life. It is a candid and horrific portrayal of human suffering and, though thoroughly difficult at times to watch, an important movie to see. I find that it puts a face on child abuse as well as well as the scary human tendency to "look the other way" when faced with difficult situations. It's truly an eye-opening and gut-wrenching movie experience that leaves you crying, angry and frustrated.I was not familiar with any of the actors in the film, but I was supremely impressed with their acting capabilities. They draw you into the story in a way that makes you feel a part of it and, all the while, you forget that you are having to read subtitles (because, alas, I do not speak French).I will recommend this movie to anyone and everyone, but I will be sure to preface my suggestion with a warning. This movie will rock you to the core and not everyone likes movies that are uncomfortable to watch. That being said, sometimes it is important to be made uneasy, it gets you to think and feel in a way that is important and, I believe, necessary.

What other word could describe this movie. It was horrific, incredulous, but yet so well portrayed and acted out. The fact that this movie is a true story makes it just that much more horrifying. I saw it in theaters two days ago and throughout the theater you could hear people sniffling and crying, the movie was just that touching, disturbing, etc...All the actors do an amazing job and the movie is easy to follow. The fact that everything is so realist, from the setting of the movie to the way the actors dress and talk adds to the movie's quality.I recommend this movie to anyone who can understand french and wants to see a real eye-opening film. It sheds light on a normally darkened topic.