Lourdes

This fictional film is about a modern-day paralyzed pilgrim's experience at Lourdes. This particular pilgrim was not deeply devout or religious. The film is very appealing to those who have never been to Lourdes. It gives a glimpse as to what happens when there is an alleged cure, and how fellow pilgrims in a tour group react to a cure. The film makes you want to go to Lourdes, maybe not so much for a cure, but just to experience Lourdes. Very well done film. I can see why this film has won awards. The end leaves you wondering too.

I bought a copy of this movie after seeing it on a DVD that the local library had.Though I don't collect movies, this is one to watch again sometime soon because the story is so promising and intriguing. From a place of possibility, Lourdes offers hope in a time when we can certainly use it.

Although it's a shame that this film isn't available through Amazon's streaming service, it is worth the effort to purchase on DVD. This wonderful little French-language film explores many facets of humanity, including religion and faith-healing, but does so with a soft touch.

This is a nice little film. It is relatively short (just over an hour and a half). Not a lot happens (except for one miracle of sorts). The pace is slow, even by Euro standards. But it is extremely pleasant and well worth a watch. The acting is excellent, including some of the less-noticeable minor characters, like the various invalid pilgrims and those who assist them. The visuals are lovely, and the film truly captures the atmosphere of being in Lourdes. There are many beautiful scenes of mountains, basilicas, processions, meals at table, and visits to the grotto-- all captured reverently, but not preachingly. That is perhaps the film's greatest point: it opens us up to the possibilities of faith, but also leads us to inquire how the spirit moves in our own lives. It is not a "religious" film at all, with all the preaching and dogmatics that might imply. But nor is it another simple screed against the limits of religion and the stupidity of those who believe. To the contrary, this film holds open the possibilities of faith, while at the same time reminding us that life-- in this life, and in the realm of belief-- can be complicated and seldom as simple as proponents on either side might like us to think.

This film fails in two ways. First it fails as a work of art. Or, to put it bluntly, it is a lousy movie. The direction and the acting are stilted, the characters are undeveloped, and the plot leads nowhere--neither to an epiphany nor to a disillusionment. Second, it fails as a depiction of a pilgrimage to Lourdes. I have been on such a pilgrimage with the group represented in the film, and real life is nothing like the movie. In the film the focus is on "getting" a miracle; in real life it is on putting oneself in the presence of God and taking what he sends. The idea of a prize for the best "malade" is absurd. In real life the pilgrims and their helpers are usually laughing when they are not actually in prayer; in the film they are silent, glum, and occasionally pretending to be pious. In real life Lourdes is full of real human connections; in the first all are isolated. In real life there is some happy flirting at Lourdes; in the film there is only dutiful, predatory lechery. So this film tells you nothing about what a trip to Lourdes is like today. If it were a good movie otherwise that might not matter very much. But it is not.

Why does God favor some and not others? This seems to be the question this movie asked. The movie is not preachy but seems to be made with a wider audience in mind. Miracles real or auto-suggested? This movie leaves it open to your own belief. I choose to believe in the miracle. I really liked the movie and did not find it anti-catholic as one reviewer suggested.

I was not able to view the DVD because it is not in the USA format. I can see now that it says that right in the title but I didn't notice it when I ordered. Then I tried to return it and it went to the United Kingdom I was not able to view the DVD because it is not in the USA format. I can see now that it's says that right in the title but I didn't notice it when I ordered. Then I tried to return it and it went to the United Kingdom and would have cost me more money to send it back than the DVD cost to buy. Live and learn.

Another venomous portrayal by the shallow ignorant airheads of filmmaking that presents the religious as shallow, ignorant, simple-minded, jealous, depraved, grotesquely selfish, and hysterically deluded about the existence of miracles. Buy this video if you're an unconscionable, airheaded anti-Catholic bigot. This applies even to Catholic anti-Catholic bigots. You'll love it.

First rate. Sylvie Testud is brilliant in this quiet, poignant and funny film. A pilgrimage to Lourdes is the setting for this gently sardonic view of life and how we treat each other. Sad, funny, and atmospheric - don't miss it.

Having been on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in the late 50's I was interested in seeing this film primarily to see how things may have changed over the years. I wasn't sure about what to expect story wise, but it was interesting none the less. I thought it was well made and true to Lourdes. The french actor in the main role was excellent, and I was changing my mind about who she really was in the story.

Lovely French film, with subtle, but it doesn't distract from the film that it is not in English, it's strange melodrama, thought provoking yet wonderful in its view on christian and funny.

This is sensitive, and not what I expected. It is a good lesson for anyone who goes to Lourdes. Lourdes is to get close to yourself, others and God.

i know whats it like as i have been to Lourdes 9 times. its a very moving film. it brings tears to the eyes.