LOURDES

Ma's View: 

We saw this movie at the end of 2010 but with one thing and another it is now March 2011....

The name "Lourdes" created the expectation that I would dislike the movie as much as I disliked the place when we visited in 1986 with its cheap commercialisation of religion.  Not so at all!  While revealing the sham and rigmarole, Austrian director/writer, Jessica Hausner gently examines the very human hopes and desires of all those who come, be they the sufferers themselves, their carers or the escort staff who accompany the busloads that arrive daily.  Thus the movie very cleverly satisfies the sceptics as an exposé of religion while also managing to affirm the beliefs of the faithful.

The events of the film are given an authenticity by its almost documentary style - certainly it seems there are scenes where the cast is filmed among genuine pilgrims.  Hausner achieves an excellent pacing of the drama as it unfolds, leading viewers to experience the same sense of almost fearful hope as the patients undergoing the ritual bathings, blessings and sceremonies.  You can't help thinking that the church (or the tour company) is exploiting people at their most vulnerable!

In the lead role of Christine, Sylvie Testud's exceptional performance evokes our empathy with her mixture of half bemused cynicism of the strange rigmaroles she must undergo and the desperate hope that something miraculous may happen.  We find ourselves (even the unbelievers amongst us!) hoping for her sake that this is not all for nothing.

Throughout, the church's message is that there is no panacea, that spiritual healing is the answer, that our human woes are nought compared to eternal life.  Meanwhile, we see that life goes on much as ever: boys and girls fancy each other; people are jealous; they compete and when all the drama is over, nothing much has changed.

And there is a really good joke told by one of the priests!  I can't remember it though!

Great viewing.

My score:  9/10

Pepe's View:

There is not much left to say except to reinforce all Ma has said.  The film is wonderful - whenever we have talked about the film to others they cringe as they believe it would be just awful as they inevitably are revolted by the thought of "selling" or "marketing" religion.
This film does indeed reveal the "economy" of Lourdes but delves much deeper.  We are simultaneously amused, touched and revolted by the characters - everyone from the nun who is leading the pilgrims, to the desperate hoping for a miracle, reach out and grab our sympathy and in most cases even a glimmer of our understanding.  Juxtaposed with the devout are the young helpers who have decided to spend their summer doing something worthwhile but eventually end up seeing the pilgrimage as another means to flirt with the opposite sex.

The film's lead is Christine played beautifully by Sylvie Testud who evokes just the right amount of sympathy and understanding.  She is desperate and of course will stop at nothing to find a cure, all the while giving the impression she does not really believe.  She becomes the "plaything" of others who would like nothing better than if they were a part of any miracle!
Probably the concept I found most revolting but also the most amusing was the concept of an award to be presented within the group for the "best pilgrim".
Lourdes is a funny, tragic, revealing movie which is a joy from start to finish.

My Score:  9/10