Siren's Song?
Added 5/28/2009
The Artist's Way "Shadow Artist" concepts are good but over all this film left me flat. Poor story telling is the downfall. The lead actress is quite good though and would like to see her other work.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Mermaids still sing for this film
Added 2/1/2007
After twenty years and many viewings, I still find solace and amusement in this film, which so sweetly and humorously explores the wisdom of those who, on the surface, are oft times bumbling outcasts and uncool, yet are fully aware of their position and transcend it. Welcome to Patricia Rozema's 1987 Canadian cult film, a poignant and humorous story about a 31-year old, "organizationally impaired" social misfit and photographer named Polly Vandersma.
Those seeking an "art" film that is conceptually complicated or just weird won't enjoy this movie. The story, like Polly, is seemingly simple on the outside but complex upon a closer view.
Although Polly leads a somewhat solitary life in a dumpy apartment with photographs as the only décor, she is neither self-absorbed nor bleak, but instead unflappably content in her darkroom and the fantastic visions she finds therein. Things change when she lands a part-time secretarial job in a Toronto art gallery working for the curator Gabrielle, a woman as self-composed and concerned with "important" art as Polly is awkward and unsophisticated. As a foil to Polly's innocent joy in the beautiful minutiae of the ordinary world, the failed artist Gabrielle is desperate to create "just one truly beautiful thing" before she dies. In the cross-hairs of their lives, the film examines the ages old ideas about love and art, talent and worth.
Neatly side-stepping any stereotypes, the honest interpretations by the actors keep the story believable. Polly's foibles are simple and her visions at times juvenile, but Sheila McCarthy's portrayal of Polly is so genuine and so touching that there is no doubt the mermaids sing to her.
In 21st century light this low-budget film is showing its age. However it also takes a closer look at our humanity--in particular our need to be understood--and that is something which is eternal. The film gods were kind to put this movie on DVD, replete with the director's insightful commentary and amusing remarks about mid-1980's attire.
The title of this film is taken from a poem by T.S Eliot, The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock. "I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me."
2 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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AN EXCELLENT MOVIE!!
Added 11/4/2006
A GOOD MOVIE, GOOD PERFORMANCES, NICE IMAGES AND GREAT SOUNDTRACK.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT...THIS IS A GOOD OPTION.
WHAT A PITY NOT TO HAVE AVAILABLE " WHEN NIGHT FALLS" BY THE SAME DIRECTOR THE CANADIAN FILMMAKER PATRICIA ROZEMA.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Sorry, Rules Of Attraction...
Added 9/27/2006
...but I have a new least favorite movie, and its name is I've Heard The Mermaids Singing.
This is easily the worst movie I've seen yet. I've sat through some huge stinkers (Fast and the Furious, The Smokers, the aforementioned Rules Of Attraction, etc.), but this one somehow manages to outstink them all. It's a piece of pretentious, unintelligible, artsy-fartsy garbage. The lead actress (and I use the word "actress" loosely) is so annoying, you'll be hoping for her death in the movie. I am not kidding. Her acting is about as natural as her hair color. She is way too damn hyper and perky. AND don't give me that "but egplamtt, shee s a free sp1r1t LOL LOL" jazz, either.
Again, do NOT see this movie. It will be the most painful 80 minutes of your life. Highly unrecommended. The only reason I give it one star is because that's the lowest Amazon will go. If possible I'd give it -10/5 stars. It's that bad. Seriously. This is Mystery Science Theater 3000 material, and I dunno about you folks, but I'd love to see this P.O.S. get owned by a talking gumball machine.
I've heard the mermaids singing, and they ain't singing to this turkey, that's for damn sure.
2 out of 17 people found this helpful.
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reading all the wonderful reviews, i had high hopes for this movie.
Result: utterly disappointed. waste of time and money.
2 out of 26 people found this helpful.
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Siren's Song?
Added 5/28/2009
The Artist's Way "Shadow Artist" concepts are good but over all this film left me flat. Poor story telling is the downfall. The lead actress is quite good though and would like to see her other work.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Mermaids still sing for this film
Added 2/1/2007
After twenty years and many viewings, I still find solace and amusement in this film, which so sweetly and humorously explores the wisdom of those who, on the surface, are oft times bumbling outcasts and uncool, yet are fully aware of their position and transcend it. Welcome to Patricia Rozema's 1987 Canadian cult film, a poignant and humorous story about a 31-year old, "organizationally impaired" social misfit and photographer named Polly Vandersma.
Those seeking an "art" film that is conceptually complicated or just weird won't enjoy this movie. The story, like Polly, is seemingly simple on the outside but complex upon a closer view.
Although Polly leads a somewhat solitary life in a dumpy apartment with photographs as the only décor, she is neither self-absorbed nor bleak, but instead unflappably content in her darkroom and the fantastic visions she finds therein. Things change when she lands a part-time secretarial job in a Toronto art gallery working for the curator Gabrielle, a woman as self-composed and concerned with "important" art as Polly is awkward and unsophisticated. As a foil to Polly's innocent joy in the beautiful minutiae of the ordinary world, the failed artist Gabrielle is desperate to create "just one truly beautiful thing" before she dies. In the cross-hairs of their lives, the film examines the ages old ideas about love and art, talent and worth.
Neatly side-stepping any stereotypes, the honest interpretations by the actors keep the story believable. Polly's foibles are simple and her visions at times juvenile, but Sheila McCarthy's portrayal of Polly is so genuine and so touching that there is no doubt the mermaids sing to her.
In 21st century light this low-budget film is showing its age. However it also takes a closer look at our humanity--in particular our need to be understood--and that is something which is eternal. The film gods were kind to put this movie on DVD, replete with the director's insightful commentary and amusing remarks about mid-1980's attire.
The title of this film is taken from a poem by T.S Eliot, The Lovesong of J. Alfred Prufrock. "I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me."
2 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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AN EXCELLENT MOVIE!!
Added 11/4/2006
A GOOD MOVIE, GOOD PERFORMANCES, NICE IMAGES AND GREAT SOUNDTRACK.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT...THIS IS A GOOD OPTION.
WHAT A PITY NOT TO HAVE AVAILABLE " WHEN NIGHT FALLS" BY THE SAME DIRECTOR THE CANADIAN FILMMAKER PATRICIA ROZEMA.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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