Filter: Hide Spoilers:
Page 1 of 2:[1] [2] [Next]
Index 15 comments in total 

12 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
Search for Spirituality Loses Me, 7 November 2005
5/10
Author: Gary Murphy (glm@hilbertinc.com) from Olathe, KS, USA

This is the story of a woman, played by Audrey Tautou, who searches for herself by searching for a religion she can relate to. She tries all of the major religions and ends up with Judaism when she starts to data Francois, who is lapsed in his faith.

Her spiritual quest drives her, Francois and ME crazy. I tend to like character and plot-driven movies, but it is important that I relate to the character in some way. There was no one with whom I could relate.

From a technical point-of-view there are positives and negatives. I rented this movie primarily because I enjoy Audrey Tautou's acting. She is talented and exceptionally charming. In that, this movie lived up to my expectations. Her acting and that of the other case members is quite well done. Unfortunately, the direction and editing aren't quite as good. There are a lot of very short scenes that are distracting and don't seem to advance the story.

By no means is this a bad movie, but unless you can relate to a spiritual journey more than me, this movie probably won't quite do it for you.

Was the above comment useful to you?

10 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Light-hearted, 6 November 2004
Author: LeRoyMarko from Toronto, Canada

This movie will be easily forgotten. In fact, without Audrey Tautou, it would be pretty boring. Michèle (Tautou) falls for this guy, François (Baer), but also for his religion: Judaism. You see, Michèle is seeking herself in religion. She's been shopping around: Catholicism, Buddhism, etc. There is some tiny bit of thinking on what is it exactly to be a believer, but the movie doesn't go far enough.

But again, watch it for Tautou. She's got a certain spontaneity that is refreshing and that remind me of another Audrey [Hepburn].

Out of 100, I gave it 71. That's good for ** out of ****.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on November 6th, 2004.

Was the above comment useful to you?

10 out of 14 people found the following comment useful :-
Audrey Tatou Makes This Movie Swell (If Not Great), 21 May 2004
8/10
Author: Ralph Michael Stein (riglltesobxs@mailinator.com) from New York, N.Y.

Audrey Tatou, for certain France's most charismatically engaging young actress today, made "God is Great, I'm Not" before "Amelie" projected her to international acclaim. This release, coming quietly after the famous film, has had little if any U.S. theater exposure but it's a DVD that cries out for word-of-mouth boosterism.

Tatou plays Michele, a self-proclaimed "top model" (well she clearly does have a successful career going). More to the point she a 100% certifiable flake who flits from religion to religion seeking wisdom and, perhaps, a sense of belonging.

After a party she meets veterinarian Francois (Edouard Baer). A very short acquaintanceship leads to a one-night stand ending in a dashed ambulance run to the hospital because Michele has OD'd. Attempted suicide? A mistake? It's a mystery but Michele's closest friend, Valerie the Novice Therapist (Julie Depardieu), convinces Francois he has some continuing responsibility for Michele. Just because of one night of hot sex? Well, it is France and the idea has a certain charm. Anyway, without it the film would end at this point. Francois has a quiet accommodating quality: he's the kind that a Michele will always enrapture.

Michele falls in love with Francois, a fellow comfortable as a "secular Jew." In his case that means he doesn't even want his apartment house neighbors to know his heritage. Absurd, declaims Michele, who proceeds to noisily attempt to affix a "mezuzah" to his front door (a Jewish talismanic article that observant members of that religion invariably have at each door in their homes sans the bathroom).

Anyway, the real fun is that Michele, bored with her past religious explorations, decides to study Judaism both with a rabbi and also in a class for possible converts - but only with Francois safely sitting beside her and actively participating. He IS besotted!

There's a lot of good humor as Francois allows himself to be drawn into Judaism - but only so far. Meanwhile Michele gets more serious about not only studying the religion but observing its very restrictive dietary precepts and other controlling laws.

So much for the basic plot-anything more would spoil the fun. But director Pascale Bailly has insured that no viewer need be Jewish to enjoy madcap Tatou's foray into that ancient religion.

Tatou has the most marvelous ability to instantly telegraph her feelings through economical but mesmerizing facial expressions. Born a century earlier, she would have been a silent film star to rival the Gish sisters, Pola Negri and many others.

She's the treat who makes this offbeat comedy (with a dollop of serious relationship issues) worth watching.

So rent it!

8/10

Was the above comment useful to you?

10 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
I thought it was great, 30 June 2002
Author: tordiway from Dallas TX

Twenty-year-old Michele (Audrey Tatou, star of the hit film "Amelie") is a successful model but an emotional wreck. Desperate to find something to believe in, she has tried Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and more, all without success. But when she meets handsome Francois, twelve years her senior and a successful secular Jew, she has a religious awakening. Suddenly obsessed with Judaism, she is soon driving Francois crazy nailing up mezuzahs, keeping kosher, observing Shabbat and accusing him of not being Jewish enough! "God is Great...I am Small" is an unusually smart and contemporary comedy/drama that builds its story around controversial issues affecting today's Jewry: Who or what is a Jew? Is a secular or Reform Jew really Jewish? Is it important to speak Hebrew? Can a relationship be successful if one partner is observant and the other is not?

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Audrey is Charming, the Story is Not, 13 June 2007
4/10
Author: captainquality from Delaware

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

As almost all the other reviews observe, this film is a disappointment, and for mostly the same reasons already mentioned. I would only add a couple other points. First, I do not find Edouard Baer's a sympathetic character at all - he is very pushy and aggressive with Michele (Tautou's character) and it is a real turn-off from the beginning. The age difference between them is obvious and awkward, as Tautou really plays the wide-eyed, ditsy innocent in this film, to Baer's often angry and inscrutable character, not made any clearer by the jump-cut style. (Though I liked the cut and fade style a lot, in most places; it allowed the story to move steadily.) Second, while potentially a deep subject, the "religious quest" element is done in the air of a light romantic comedy, and this is at base slightly inappropriate and not carried off well. Third, the most interesting relationships in the film are arguably those between Michele and her troubled family, where we might see some healing and emotional growth, but these are not well and clearly developed at all. Michele has serious father issues, a primary source of her vulnerability which makes Baer's pursuit of her smack of exploitation and pedophilia.

The above flaws in combination result in the impression that, though the work of a woman - Pascale Bailly - the film comes off slightly misogynistic. Tautou's character is made fun of, and not redeemed by positive developments in the story. Baer treats her like a child and is not disciplined by the story line for doing so; indeed, in the inconclusive ending we see him pushing himself on her again, with the hint that he will likely be allowed to succeed. Tautou really shines and is a pleasure to watch, but basically no other element of the film works well. Pas de cigare.

Was the above comment useful to you?

3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
just okay,...and shallow, 18 March 2006
6/10
Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

For fans of the film AMELIE, despite starring Audrey Tautou, this film is NOT a reprise of this role, though you can't blame her for branching out to other type roles (and I certainly enjoyed her film HE LOVES ME).

The film's sole focus is Tautou and her quest for spiritual fulfillment. You soon see that when her character does something, she does it 100% and is totally "gung ho"--at least for a while. While this is initially entertaining, her character is so screwed up and self-involved that you really find her annoying over time---her relationship with her mom, her suicide attempt, her desire to become Jewish, etc. all revolve around her. So, the spiritual journey itself COULD have been an interesting plot element--but her character wasn't. I think I would have liked the film if it had a more likable, less self-involved and shallow character.

She's cute in this film too but also shallow and stupid. As a result, her performance, over time, becomes a little bit annoying and trivial--so much so that the film becomes just a time-passer.

Did I mention that she was shallow?

Was the above comment useful to you?

6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Not Amelie, but not terrible, 19 February 2005
7/10
Author: Lisa from Nashville

Like everyone else who has written in, I watched this film (and Happenstance) because I had seen Amelie and had fallen in love with Tautou and was hoping to relive the Amelie experience. This movie is as close as I have come, but of course, NOT Amelie. The fun parts of this movie were: learning about the Jewish faith through the eyes of a non-Jew, hoping that Tautou and Baer really do end up together, and I must mention all of Tautou's awesome outfits and hairstyles as a French "top model." Very fun! The movie a few interesting cinematic moments from a style standpoint, too. I felt that I got confused about the plot at points due to the back-and-forth cut sequences and thought maybe I missed something in translation? Or maybe it was just weak storytelling? Or maybe Americans like me just need to be led by the nose through the plot a little more? The great surprise for me was Edouard Baer. He is handsome, charming, gentle, and caring in his role of Francois, and I immediately fell in love with him myself. The movie nicely balances comedy and seriousness and has sat well with me in the days after watching it. As long as you're not expecting Amelie: The Prequel, I think you can watch this and enjoy the fun and beauty Tautou brings to the screen.

Was the above comment useful to you?

6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
Audrey Tautou stars in a so-so comedy, 30 September 2001
7/10
Author: davidguy from Paris

If Amelie had not been released prior to Dieu est Grand, this film would not have had the same exposure...

And it's no surprise. The plot is simple though entertaining; a young girl (Tautou) searches for spirituality in religion and love. Having gone through Catholicism, Buddhism, she meets a Jew (Edouard Baer) and falls in love for him and Judaism... Well, I understood it like this, and I don't think religion plays a great part anyway. It is just a pretext for funny scenes and as a way to show some depth to the character.

Parts of the film are extremely funny, revolving around religion (misunderstandings...) and family troubles (Catherine Jacob as the mom is astounding as usual). However the film drags a bit on the conversion to Judaism and loses the edge in the end completely.

All in all, entertaining, light, but certainly not unforgettable... People who loved Amelie (like myself) will like it for the wonderful Audrey Tautou: she makes the plot ticks by herself. Not to forget Edouard Baer -a renowned and funny TV presenter (he hosts the French Oscar ceremony)- who is charming and credible when he could have overplayed his part easily! My rate: 6-7/10

Was the above comment useful to you?

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
A big waste of time., 14 January 2009
1/10
Author: true_reyda from France

I just watched this movie and i felt i had to warn potential watchers : This is by no means a good movie.

You may have been lured into seeing it because of Audrey Tautou of Amelie's fame.

To put it simple : the scenario is so simple it could have fitted on a post it note. It's about a whimsy girl who tries to get in touch with her spirituality.

So she goes from one boyfriend to the other, and each time embraces the religion of his. There are huge problem with the whole plot : we don't know how everything started. There is a tiny little clue about her father being absent, but aside from that, there is no indication of her psychology, her childhood, her past experience of the main character. Nothing. Plus, to be honest she is quite despicable. She is just a spoiled little girl with too much time. At some point she tries to embrace Judaism, and it's the only time the movie conveys any interesting idea. The rest is as shallow and meaningless as the character portrayed by Audrey Tautou. Her male counterpart, a somewhat nihilist but well educated man, portrayed by Edouard Baer really fits in his role, alas the way he tries to seduce again and again a girl which he has rejected twice is simply not believable. How he could be interested by a person which apparently has no brain and exists only through other people's beliefs is beyond our comprehension.

We can even sense some possible twists that could occur during certain scenes, but the director is in this case less smart than the viewers : she just misses completely what could have made an interesting movie. Nothing of what french cinema is famous for. Everything that happens here mirrors the ten first minutes. After those ten minutes, the plot will simply not progress in spite of the various shallow characters thrown our way.

So what can be said about a movie that brings nothing vaguely looking like character development, that conveys absolutely no message, that is not funny at all (ok, maybe i smiled twice), and portrays a girl with cuteness as her only selling point, to sum it all ? I'd say it's a waste of time, plain and simple. I encourage you to stay away from this movie, and rather stay on the good impression you had when viewing Amélie. Don't buy it, don't rent it : just don't.

Was the above comment useful to you?

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Good? Bad? Hmmmm! (end spoiler), 3 July 2006
6/10
Author: bamouz from United Kingdom

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

First of all I'm a big fan of french cinema. Audrey Tautou offers a great quality performance but offers nothing original. Edouard is is natural self (except asterix). But the director of the movie appeared to be uninspired and trying too much to make something special out of the film. Some of the shots just don't work (especially at the beginning). The use of jump cuts are at some places well placed and some others too weired. Once you get into the story you are alright but the 100 braking up scenes and the annoying and cheeky characters lead the film to a ending that offers no satisfaction at all. I don't know about you guy's but this film is not one I'd wait desperately for a sequel. The To be conti nued just put doughts and seems unreal. We can guess that she is not going to get back with him (like she did with her first boyfriend). Why this ending?

Was the above comment useful to you?
Page 1 of 2:[1] [2] [Next]

Add another comment

Related Links

Plot summary Ratings External reviews
Plot keywords Main details Your user comments
Your vote history