Pauline & Paulette

A pair of elderly sisters must decide what to do with their autistic sibling, Pauline, when her caretaker dies. Although Pauline immediately latches onto sister Paulette (Ann Petersen), a shop owner who sings in operettas by night, her newfound idol may not be able to take time out of her busy life for Pauline. Rather than bombard the viewer with a disability of the week story meant to soften hearts and show us the true joys of living, Pauline & Paulette instead becomes a dark meditation on the true cost of our responsibilities to one another, as neither sister is willing to disrupt her life for Pauline. Sparked by Dora van der Groen's performance as the childlike Pauline--in a turn that brings tremendous depth to the character rather than a mere imitation of mannerisms--this is recommended. [Note: the DVD features a pleasant audio commentary by first-time writer/director Lieven Debrauwer. Bottom line: a scaled down extras package for a modest but affecting film]. (B. Grafius)