The life of Marie Heurtin (1885-1921), often called the “French Helen Keller,” is dramatized in this joyous film, directed by Jean-Pierre Ameris. Born deaf and blind and wholly unable to connect to the world around her, by the age of 14, Marie (portrayed by deaf actress Ariana Rivoire) is a feral creature, prone to wild outbursts. With nowhere else to turn, her exasperated parents (Gilles Treton and Laure Duthilleul) bring Marie to a special-needs school run by an order of sisters where the girl makes a big impression on one idealistic nun (Isabelle Carre). What ensues is a master class in unconditional love, patience and perseverance. Ameris brings a rare sensitivity and poignancy to his inspirational story; the profoundly life-affirming results are not to be missed. In French. Subtitles.
Watch out for: Some potentially disturbing scenes of a frightened child.
Rated: A-II, adults and adolescents; MPAA: Not rated.