Louise by the Shore

2016 [FRENCH]

Animation / Drama

Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 75% · 3 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 75%
IMDb Rating 7.1/10 10 1327 1.3K

beach loneliness memory elderly

Director

Jean-François Laguionie Photo
Jean-François Laguionie

Top cast

Dominique Frot Photo
Dominique Frot as Louise âgée
Antony Hickling Photo
Antony Hickling as Tom - le parachutiste
Piera Degli Esposti Photo
Piera Degli Esposti as Louise
Jean-François Laguionie Photo
Jean-François Laguionie as Pépère

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by I_Ailurophile 9 / 10

A pleasant, heartfelt daydream of a film

The visuals somewhat bridge the gap between children's book illustrations and outright paintings, and are lovely and enchanting at every turn. This is very appropriate for a movie that's filled with such gentle whimsy, soft reflection, and playful meandering. I didn't know what it was I was getting into when I sat to watch, but this is wonderfully enchanting, sans major drama, in a way that so few pictures are any more. In a runtime of only seventy minutes filmmaker Jean-Francois Laguionie gives us unbothered ruminations on self-sufficiency and resourcefulness, aging, solitude, the bustle of modern life as contrasted with the earnest simplicity of just Being - and making peace with oneself. All this, wrapped up in a story that toys with the liminal space twixt dream, memory, and plain reality as the title character finds herself alone in a seaside resort. There's no other way to say it: 'Louise by the shore,' or 'Louise en hiver,' is fantastic!The movie doesn't sound like much from the outside looking in; I freely admit the premise doesn't portend something that readily caught my eye. In fairness, with its light, delicate tone and thoughtful introspection, it's surely a title that would appeal to a relatively niche audience, those who are already receptive to works of such a nature. To overlook it on any basis is definitely a mistake, however, for this is pleasant and enticing in the most affable of ways, quietly but inexorably drawing us in with its tender weave of mellow, fanciful ponderings. Enriched with a smidgen of additional flavor by Pierre Kellner and Pascal Le Pennec with their tasteful original music, Laguionie has shaped a feature of unflagging warmth and laidback meditation, equal part storytelling and contemplation. And for those who are open to films of this kind, frankly 'Louise by the shore' is all but a must-see.What more is there to say? After loving 2011's 'Le tableau' so dearly I should have known to expect great things in another animated effort from Laguionie, but still I'm so very pleased and impressed with what the man put together here. Only viewers of a particular age, or "maturity" if you will, will get the most out of this and appreciate it for all it has to offer, yet there is value and sincerity here far exceeding what the best multi-million dollar Hollywood romp could ever hope to afford. If you have the opportunity to watch, this is absolutely worth a mere seventy minutes of anyone's time. Bravo!
Reviewed by sorcered

poetry and old age

It's not technically perfect, but its limitations adapt masterfully to the subject matter - a story of old age, solitude, memories and making the most out of what you have. Which is exactly what the director did :) Not a movie for kids - unlike Up, another movie that tackles the circle of life, and another 10 in my book, this one requires a measure of introspection and life experience to fully appreciate.
Reviewed by rfjaffe 10 / 10

Wonderful Exploration of the Subjective Realities of Old Age

Louise, an old French widow, is thrown on her own resources in a Northern French seaside town deserted during the winter. While limited by her failing powers, she succeeds in creating a satisfying life for herself a la Robinson Crusoe. Memories of her childhood during WWII occasionally break into her solitary explorations of the beach and beach village where she is marooned by herself. The animation is perfectly attuned to the calm flavor of her personal subjectivity, which is the focus of the movie. In its own quiet way, this film is far more true to the realities of female old age than any of the terribly patronizing and hokey "old people" movies thrown off by Hollywood from time to time. (See, e.g., The Whales of August.) Warning: For those who need constant action in what they watch, this is a very slow movie and its slowness is perfectly, and successfully, attuned to the subject the creator has chosen.
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