Gabrielle (II) (2013) is a French-Canadian film written and directed by Louise Archambault.
The movie stars Gabrielle Marion-Rivard as Gabrielle, a woman with Williams Syndrome. Alexandre Landry plays Martin, her boyfriend, and Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin portrays Sophie, Gabrielle's sister.
Gabrielle has Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder. People with Williams Syndrome have mild developmental delay, and a distinctive personality and appearance.
People with Williams Syndrome are typically outgoing and friendly. They are usually very verbal and often musically talented. They meet the world with true joie de vivre. All of these characteristics are true of Gabrielle.
The physical appearance of people with Williams Syndrome is said to be "elfish." Given that nobody has actually seen an elf, it's hard to tell how we could know that someone looks like an elf. However, some anthropologists believe that the connection worked the other way. People with Williams Syndrome may have been the source of what we think of as the appearance of elves.
The plot of the film hinges on Gabrielle's growing sexuality, and Gabrielle's ability to live without the support of her sister. Sophie's partner is in India, and Sophie wants to join him. She's torn between her love for her sister and her desire to be with the man she loves. (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin is a great young actor, and she is outstanding in this role.)
Gabrielle Marion-Rivard is a person with Williams Syndrome, but she doesn't just "play herself." This is a movie, and she has to act in it. This is made very clear in a special feature documentary film My Name is also Gabrielle.
Director Archambault brilliantly constructs her movie around the very realistic problems that could, indeed, challenge Gabrielle the person. Gabrielle turns in a wonderful performance, as do all the actors--those with developmental delay and those without it.
The movie worked well on the small screen. It's a must-see if you have any interest in people with handicaps. Even if you don't have this interest, I would still recommend the film. Gabrielle has a lukewarm IMDb rating of 7.0. I thought it was much better than that, and rated it 10.
The movie stars Gabrielle Marion-Rivard as Gabrielle, a woman with Williams Syndrome. Alexandre Landry plays Martin, her boyfriend, and Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin portrays Sophie, Gabrielle's sister.
Gabrielle has Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder. People with Williams Syndrome have mild developmental delay, and a distinctive personality and appearance.
People with Williams Syndrome are typically outgoing and friendly. They are usually very verbal and often musically talented. They meet the world with true joie de vivre. All of these characteristics are true of Gabrielle.
The physical appearance of people with Williams Syndrome is said to be "elfish." Given that nobody has actually seen an elf, it's hard to tell how we could know that someone looks like an elf. However, some anthropologists believe that the connection worked the other way. People with Williams Syndrome may have been the source of what we think of as the appearance of elves.
The plot of the film hinges on Gabrielle's growing sexuality, and Gabrielle's ability to live without the support of her sister. Sophie's partner is in India, and Sophie wants to join him. She's torn between her love for her sister and her desire to be with the man she loves. (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin is a great young actor, and she is outstanding in this role.)
Gabrielle Marion-Rivard is a person with Williams Syndrome, but she doesn't just "play herself." This is a movie, and she has to act in it. This is made very clear in a special feature documentary film My Name is also Gabrielle.
Director Archambault brilliantly constructs her movie around the very realistic problems that could, indeed, challenge Gabrielle the person. Gabrielle turns in a wonderful performance, as do all the actors--those with developmental delay and those without it.
The movie worked well on the small screen. It's a must-see if you have any interest in people with handicaps. Even if you don't have this interest, I would still recommend the film. Gabrielle has a lukewarm IMDb rating of 7.0. I thought it was much better than that, and rated it 10.