Aurore (2005) User Reviews

Definitely worth it.

[guns_and_roses_941 · 8/10 · 1 September 2005]

in my small town, we Rarely get french movies. When i saw Aurore was playing, i got my friends together and we went out to see it, basically to support a french movie being in theaters. At first i wasn't sure weather i was going to like it or not, but i ended up getting super involved in the film, and loved it. By the end of the movie there wasn't a person in the theater that wasn't either crying or swearing under their breath. It is a touching story, and is Wonderfully acted out! ITs a true story on top of that... horrible. Anyway, i definitely say its worth watching it, even if it draws a few tears.

Erica

Great Movie!! But Lacked a Little Something

[dfortier5 · 8/10 · 1 August 2005]

I really want to give a 10 out of 10 on this movie! But unfortunately I can't. This is a great movie that lacks just a little something. That little something is violence. No I'm not a sadist and I don't like violence in films, but this is a movie about torture and we don't see any of it. It's only implied. It's sad to say, but this story isn't complete without it. Having the camera pan off while we hear Aurore being tortured made this movie miss something. It almost made it appear cheesy. They could easily have had the audience squirming in their seats had they shown just a tiny glimpse of the crazy torture that La marâtre imposed on Aurore. I just feel it would have been a bit more realistic had they shown a tiny bit of it.

Hélène Bourgeois-Leclerc did a MAGNIFICENT job interpreting the evil step-mother. Actually, she's not evil, she's crazy. Hélène definitely carries the whole movie! I actually felt sorry for her because she's so demented. I hated the step-mother in the original film because she was just plain mean and enjoyed torturing Aurore. But in this new version Hélène made the character out to be more human. She actually believed that by torturing, hum, I mean disciplining Aurore she was fulfilling her duties as a parent. In her mind she wasn't doing it to be mean. She didn't mean to kill Aurore and the other kids. She's just so totally crazy, that's all. It was an excellent job on Hélène's part! Bravo Hélène!!

I had no feelings towards the father in the original movie, but found myself surprised to be hating the father, Thélesphore Gagnon, in this movie. I've liked Serge Postigo in everything he's done in the past. This is the first time I hate his character. He did an excellent job in this movie! Bravo Serge!

And what can I say about Marianne Fortier who played "Aurore". Those EYES! My goodness! The child acts with her eyes! Beautiful job for her first time around! And I'm not saying that because we share the same family name.

The rest of the actors were really good. As usual. We all know and love all of them from so many roles in other movies and from TV.

I just hope that the powers that be are smart enough this time around with the DVD to remove their blinders for once and think beyond the borders of the province of Quebec by dubbing the movie in English, so others who don't speak French in Canada and the US can enjoy this beautiful gem of a movie.

Great film! Go see it! Well worth it!

PS: Aug/05; I went to see Aurore for a second time. It was ever better the second time around! Dec/05; I now have the DVD and have watched it several times. I love it more and more every time I see it!

A Powerfully Emotional Film... Truly a Must-See Movie!

[anna-maki · 10/10 · 12 June 2006]

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.

This movie was AMAZING

[jamieson_beef · 10/10 · 4 August 2005]

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.

Best Quebecois movie of all times

[clever-7 · 10/10 · 10 December 2005]

I can't believe there's people that would rate "Les Boys" higher than "Aurore"... I mean, Les Boys is a classic Quebecois and yet is really bad.

To watch Aurore is really moving, I saw it on theater and everybody was crying, tissues where coming and going, and people had to stand up, run outside and cry it all out a couple of times. For all movies i've seen in theaters none of them has had such impact in the viewers as Aurore has. People wasn't afraid to show tears cause everybody was crying, boys and girls equally.

It has a very strong content and I think it was really good in all sense cause it made the viewers feel the real pain and captured the real message. Needless to say, at the end of the movie, the exit was pretty much like a funeral.. no talking, only tears and people started to leave quietly.

Compelling, Disturbing and Mesmerizing French Quebec Film.

[devil_730 · 10/10 · 27 December 2007]

This fantastic remake to the classic french Quebec film, is absolutely outstanding. Not only is it one of the best remakes in french Quebec film history but one of the best remakes I have ever seen. Since I am from Quebec, we always like to see french Quebec films. And seeing that they had already done a remake to a classic film thats based on a true story, I was one of the first few to rent this movie at our local videostore. And I must I say Wow! What is there not to love about the movie? The acting is outstanding, the direction is perfect and the score fits in so perfectly. Im not over-exaggerating here but Aurore is a visual treat. However, its not for the faint of heart and the easily disturbed, because not only does this movie deal with child abuse but the whole atmosphere is so raw and realistic. I have never met one person who didn't cry watching this movie. I do however recommend this movie to all who want to know more about the story. Prepare yourself for a compelling, disturbing and mesmerizing french Quebec film.

No emotion in the music

[globalayer · 3/10 · 4 August 2005]

Yes it's a good movie, but many of scenes it wasn't complete, example: during the chattering between 2 characters, the fade appear and this is the scene change.

This story is normally longer, Luc Dionne could easily make a 3 hours time of movie with the same context.

I was very disappointed for the music, Michel Cusson should be practice before to compose a music for a precious movie. In this time, Luc Dionne should to hire Yoko Kanno or John Williams, anyway the masters of the movies musics. Not only the spectators will applause but will cry the Aurore's martyrdom during the movie and after.

Sorry for my English... i did my best

Heavy, Touching and Disturbing!

[french_daniel · 10/10 · 9 July 2005]

Best Quebec movie EVER! Everything is just perfect in this movie....The acting is fantastic (Great performance by Helene Bourgeois Leclerc) and the story so touching...The story is base on the true story of Aurore Gagnon which takes place in the 1920's but even if it takes place 85 years ago the story is still and unfortunately will stay actual. Can't wait for the DVD! Hopefully this movie will have an international release because we can't just keep that movie in Canada, we have to share it with the rest of the world.If someone is not touched or not crying while watching this Drama is simply NOT Human! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did! This is sincerely a most see movie!

Excellent Movie

[dire69 · 10/10 · 23 January 2006]

Between this one and the original; this version is excellent in every way. I went to see it at the cinema when it came out and now I own it on DVD and can't get enough of it. I watch it at least once a week. Every time I watch it, I can't help but feel so bad for the little girl who goes through so much abuse by her stepmother and her very own father. It's so sad and such a tragedy is still going on today in this world as we speak. Unfortunately, this problem will always be a huge problem. We should try harder to work together; to stop this from going on everywhere in this world. "Let's Stop The Violence" now before it's too late. How many more children have to suffer and die; and at such a young age too?? They don't deserve to be treated like this; nobody does. So, let's work together to put an end to it once and for all.

We are responsible

[arrika65 · 10/10 · 16 December 2006]

I grew up in Quebec having heard about "Aurore. I never knew the details of what happened to her but when I cried after my mom beat me, she'd tell me to stop my crocodile tears and that her treatment of me was nowhere near as bad. I just saw the movie. Like others, no doubt, I wanted to climb into the movie and beat the crap out of the step-mother. It also made me so angry at the Church, and had to remind myself that it was not the institution, but rather the individual priest. In any event, this movie reminds us all that where there is abuse of any sort, we are responsible and cannot afford to walk away saying it's none of my business.

Excellent Movie

[key_up · 9/10 · 5 November 2005]

I saw the original movie as a child and was so saddened by what this young lady went through. It was of course in black and white and very realistic for that time period. The original version was in french but even people who did not understand a word of french were lined up to see it because of all the hype about it. French people would be translating to the non-french viewers as the movie was going on. This updated version is done very well and, I am still to this day saddened and haunted by this young lady's tragic life story. Even in this day and age where we see and hear about so many neglected and abused children(because it was not talked about in those days) this story still stays with me.........

Aquarius_Creates

[jenaycarter · 9/10 · 18 February 2019]

Saddest movie that I ever saw! I was not expecting that ending! I only wish that this poor girl is resting In a beautiful place! Sweet sweet girl! She did not deserve that life

simply fantastic

[Frank-Strife · 10/10 · 13 July 2005]

This is a must-see movie! Aurore is simply one of the best movie from Quebec. It is most touching and you need to be some sort of psycho not to feel anything after seeing this movie. The acting is amazing, the setting is realistic and the story is incredible! The way the movie was made was just like if the producer was showing you paintings, moment after moment, and sharing a part of a story that should be known by everyone! By the way, this is a true story that did happen to Aurore Gagnon, who is commonly known has " Aurore, l'infant martyr (Aurore, the martyr kid)", and for a very good reason. Anyways, this movie is simply great. Finally, this movie deserves it's 10/10. Again, two-thumbs up and continue this amazing work!

What Canadian Films should be

[Sonofamoviegeek · 9/10 · 7 March 2010]

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.

This movie is a true work of art.

[alhamdulillahd · 10/10 · 12 October 2016]

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.

The only review you will need to read!

[stonecoldbabe000 · 10/10 · 23 August 2018]

As both a child and an adult I have always watched lifetime movies and movies based on true stories, with the majority of them being about, child abuse, abduction and murder. Of course each and every one has moved me to tears, but this one haunts me. I happened across this movie purely by chance when i was on YouTube, I decided to read up about aurore's case prior to watching it and I decided I didn't want to watch it due to the upsetting nature of the case. But I couldn't shake it from my head so I watched it. Now I cannot get the image of that child out of my head she haunts my dreams every night. She was failed by an entire town and I cannot comprehend how that was possible. The only people that I can't blame for her death is her birth mother and her siblings. I can't understand how her father went from such a warm loving man to a cold hearted monster that stood back and not only watched the daughter he loved be beaten to death but also beat her himself. I know that if I knew a child was being beaten and abused I would go to hell and back to try and protect that child. I would be on the phone constantly to social services and the police and if they failed to do anything I would take matters into my own hands. Now I know that things were different back then but there were so many people who could have done something but they didn't and I simply can't understand why! The priest at the end asked them to forget about what happened and erase it from their memories, purely because of the guilt he felt for letting her down. This is a film I can't erase from my memory and I know that child is most likely going to haunt me for the rest of my life. Now as far as the acting goes, this is the finest acting I have ever seen and I believe this movie is a very rare masterpiece, which should have gained wider attention from the media. Every actor deserves an award for their performance and this movie in general should have won a lot of awards. This movie is very difficult to watch but It should be watched.