Rachel Evans
The 1986 film Thérèse, about the Little Flower, tells the story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who was born in the French countryside in 1873 and died in 1897. The movie focuses on the depth of her passionate love affair with Jesus and her dedication to becoming a saint. While some critics have praised the film for its ability to move audiences and its well-crafted story, others have found it boring and artificial. The film has also been criticised by Catholic script consultants in Hollywood. Despite this, Thérèse may become more than just a Catholic cult classic, inspiring young men and women about the true Christian understanding of love, sacrifice, and worship of God.
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What You'll Learn
Is Thérèse a good Catholic movie?
The 1986 film Thérèse, about the Little Flower, explores what makes a great saint movie. The film centres on Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who was born in the French countryside in 1873 and passed away in 1897. It depicts Thérèse's dedication to Jesus and her journey to sainthood.
Thérèse has received mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to move audiences and its well-crafted story, while others criticise its amateur quality and confusing direction. The film has been described as a "visual and spiritual pleasure" by some Catholic viewers, who appreciate its portrayal of a Catholic family and its exploration of the true Christian understanding of love, sacrifice, and worship. They also highlight the touching moments in Thérèse's life, which are told in a moving way that left audiences in tears.
On the other hand, some viewers found the film boring and artificial, with wooden and corny dialogue. They felt that the film fell short of capturing the power of the Gospel and failed to make a Christian story interesting and alive. The direction and script were criticised for being muddled, making it confusing at times to distinguish between holy visions and possession.
Overall, while Thérèse may not appeal to mainstream audiences or those seeking large-scale action, it has found appreciation among Catholic viewers for its spiritual and visual pleasure. It provides a unique perspective on the mystery of Thérèse's sainthood and her relationship with Jesus, which has the potential to inspire and renew faith.
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What makes a good saint movie?
The 1986 film Thérèse seems to have sparked a discussion on what makes a good saint movie. While some critics argue that the idea of producing "saint movies" is unappealing, others believe that Thérèse is a good example of a film in this genre.
So, what makes a good saint movie? Firstly, it should be interesting and engaging, with a well-crafted story that is true to its source material. The film Thérèse, for instance, explores the life of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, capturing the depth of her passionate love affair with Jesus and her dedication to becoming a saint. The film's portrayal of her life and spiritual message is described as natural and unpretentious, making it relatable and inspiring for viewers.
Good scriptwriting is also essential. A well-written script will present the protagonist's moral dilemma clearly and concisely, allowing the audience to root for them as they navigate conflicts and turning points. The script for Thérèse effectively conveys the character's goal and psychological state in a single line: "I want to be a saint, but I feel so helpless."
Additionally, a good saint movie should be visually appealing and well-executed, especially considering the challenges of portraying a saint's inner life and spiritual reality on screen. The film Thérèse, for instance, is praised for its lush cinematography and lighting, enhancing the visual and spiritual pleasure of the film.
Finally, a good saint movie should be accessible and relatable, not only to religious audiences but also to those outside the faith. While the film Thérèse is criticized for being too artificial and amateurish, some believe it has the potential to renew the life of the Church and inspire people to deepen their relationship with Jesus.
In conclusion, a good saint movie combines a well-crafted story with strong scriptwriting, compelling characters, and visually appealing cinematography. It should capture the essence of the saint's life and spiritual message, inspiring and moving audiences both within and outside the religious community.
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How does Thérèse portray sainthood?
The movie Thérèse portrays sainthood in a unique way that focuses on the depth of the protagonist's passionate love affair with Jesus. The nuns in the film are figuratively wed to Christ in the ceremony that admits them to the order, and Thérèse, played by Catherine Mouchet, takes the wedding vows seriously and literally. The movie begins with young Thérèse and her sisters enjoying a pleasant afternoon with their parents. When her father asks her what she is saying with her head in her mother's lap, she replies, "So you can go to heaven!" This dedication to Jesus is a recurring theme in the film and is portrayed as inspirational.
Thérèse's journey to sainthood is also depicted through her strong desire to become a saint, despite feeling helpless. This moral dilemma is presented for the audience to evaluate, and they are invited to root for her as she works towards her goal. The film also showcases Thérèse's determination to enter the strict cloisters of the Carmelite nuns, going as far as to appeal to the pope directly to gain admission.
Thérèse's sainthood is further portrayed through the numerous touching moments in her life, which are depicted in a moving way that resonates with the audience. The film captures the story and spiritual message of Thérèse, revealing her complete trust in God's love, even during suffering and spiritual darkness. It highlights her inner life and relationship with God, providing a glimpse into the mystery of her sainthood.
The movie also explores the community within the convent, including the other nuns, such as an old woman of great saintliness and a young nun with a crush on Thérèse. It presents a realistic portrayal of Thérèse's family life, showcasing the love, joy, and closeness of the Martin family, with her father's goal of raising Godly children. Overall, the film provides a well-crafted story that remains true to its source material, capturing the essence of Thérèse's "little way" and her impact on those around her.
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Is Thérèse family-friendly?
The 1987 film Thérèse tells the story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who was born in the French countryside in 1873 and died in 1897. The movie focuses on her passionate love affair with Jesus and her dedication to becoming a saint. The film begins with young Thérèse and her sisters spending time with their parents, highlighting the love, joy, and closeness of the Martin family.
While the movie has been praised for its lush cinematography, well-crafted story, and ability to capture the spiritual message of Thérèse's life, some viewers may find it challenging to relate to. The direction and script have been described as muddled, and the small-scale and reserved nature of the film may not appeal to those seeking larger-scale action.
The movie contains strong Christian and Catholic themes, including prayer, scripture, Christian imagery, talk of heaven, and Jesus' forgiveness. It also explores Thérèse's relationship with her family and her journey towards sainthood. The film has been described as "one long question," exploring the secret of Thérèse's joy and her unwavering trust in God's love, even amidst suffering and spiritual darkness.
Overall, Thérèse may not be typical mainstream fare, but it offers a unique perspective on the life of a saint. It is a visual and spiritual pleasure that can inspire and teach viewers about Christian values. However, due to its religious themes and potentially confusing narrative, parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers. The film's exploration of spiritual darkness and suffering may be intense for some children, but it can also prompt discussions about faith and family values.
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Is Thérèse worth watching?
The 1986 film Thérèse, about the life of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, has received mixed reviews. While some viewers describe it as a "pain to watch", others characterise it as a "visual and spiritual pleasure".
One review on Movieguide suggests that the film will bore most Christians and never reach secular audiences. The reviewer writes that "nothing about it feels real or relevant", and that the film's amateur quality hinders its power to move audiences. However, the same review also acknowledges the film's strong Christian worldview, which involves prayer, scripture, Christian imagery, and talk of heaven and Jesus' forgiveness.
On the other hand, a review on Catholic Exchange takes a more positive stance, praising the film's cinematography, source lighting, and Patti DeFilippis' scriptwriting. The reviewer writes that the film is "true to its source material", with a well-crafted story that includes good drama, character arcs, turning points, and great lines.
Another review on the same website describes the film as "easy to watch", and predicts that it will become much more than just a Catholic cult classic. The reviewer, Dr Stan Williams, believes that the film will be used to teach and inspire young men and women about the true Christian understanding of love, sacrifice, and worship of God.
A reflection on the film published on frcoulter.com also takes a positive stance, with the writer noting that the film portrays the "complete trust this woman had in God's love for her, even in the midst of tremendous suffering and spiritual darkness". They add that the film "perfectly captures the story and spiritual message of Thérèse".
Thérèse has also been described as a "strong, pure, apparently simple movie" by Roger Ebert, who notes that it leaves viewers with many unanswered questions. Ebert observes that the film focuses on the depth of Thérèse's passionate love affair with Jesus, and her literal interpretation of the wedding that admits nuns to the order.
Overall, while the film has received some negative reviews, it has also been praised for its visual and spiritual qualities, as well as its ability to inspire and teach Christian values.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie Thérèse tells the story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who was born in the French countryside in 1873 and died in 1897. It focuses on her passionate love affair with Jesus and her dedication to becoming a saint.
The reviews for the movie Thérèse are mixed. Some critics describe the movie as "a pain to watch" and "boring", while others call it "a visual and spiritual pleasure" and praise the cinematography, lighting, and scriptwriting.
The movie Thérèse is rated as suitable for families by Movieguide, a Christian movie review website. However, it is recommended that viewers use their discretion as the movie contains religious themes and content that may not be of interest to younger audiences.
The movie Thérèse does not appear to be available on mainstream streaming platforms or for purchase on disc. To watch the film, you may need to contact specialised Catholic film distributors or organisations.
