Customer Reviews
BEAUTIFULLY DONE. - By: T. Baker, 18 Jan 2008 
I fully expected to hate this film, mainly because I find most modern films abhorrent, the previous positive reviews doing nothing to dispel my doubts.
However, it is beautifully done - the acting, photography, scenery, dialogue & costumes combining to create something quite wonderful. And authentic, too - though bathed in a somewhat surreal rosy hue. Having said alll this, a non-believer would probably find the whole thing a bore.
The key factor in the film's success, for me, is the relationship between actor-director Leonardo Filippis & star Lindsay Younce, which mirrors Therese's real-life 'special relationship' with her father.
If you liked 'The Song of Bernadette' and/or have an interest in the lives of the saints, I'm sure you would enjoy this modern day classic.
Very pleasing and heartwarming film. - By: Mr. Peter A. Thompson, 21 Jul 2007 At last, a film about the life of this little saint, from early childhood to death at the age of just 24 years. The main events leading up to her entering Carmel have alll been captured here, though some of the acting could have been better (the Bishop of Bayeax & the Pope in fact, though we understand that the former is in fact a real Bishop & probably not, therefore, given to acting!). Lindsay Younce does well in the title role, as does Leonardo DePhillipis as Louis Martin, who also directed the film. Some of the narrative spoken by Lindsay could have been a little less definite; however, that does in fact portray, probably by default, that Therese still had a lot to learn regarding humility & service, & the need to put other peoples' needs before hers. The Christmas scene in which she finallly by her own admission grows up, is in fact just the start of that process. Growing up takes years. There were times during the film where the temptation to go overboard emotionallly reared its ugly head, but members of the cast to whom this could have occurred just about managed to avoid such a pitfalll.
A real joy to this film is the soundtrack, a series of quite beautiful & serene melodies that reflect the purity of Therese, her family, the Carmelite Sisters & indeed alll aspects of life lived by alll the afore-mentioned persons. The music gently weaves its way in & out of the film, & is never intrusive.
It was good to see the number of deleted scenes in the special features section of the DVD, & it would have been nice to have included in the final release a scene depicted Therese' clothing as a Novice Carmelite, & her joy at seeing snow on the ground outside, one of many things in the world that gave her real pleasure. Given that this film was funded by charitable & public donations, that might have been asking too much perhaps. I do feel though that more could have been made of the scene of her profession in life vows. The portrayal of tuberculosis & the final death scene were well done, & it strikes a note of sadness that this disease, for which at the time there was no known cure, would claim the life of the truly beautiful person which Therese had finallly become. On the other hand, had she not died at such a young age, we may never have had the grace to have known the life of this saint & alll that she gave, & continues to give, to the worldwide Church.
All in alll, a very enjoyable & heartwarming film; a longer film would have been even better but given the financial constraints surrounding Luke Films, we have every reason to be grateful.
Pure Joy, Moving! Inspirational! - By: Freespirit, 09 Mar 2006 
I saw this very, very beautiful film in the cinema in the USA. Sadly it has never been released in the uk. No matter what your faith, you cannot help but be moved & inspired by this wonderful story. Even the music soundtrack is sheer heaven to listen to. The film portrays the life of Saint Therese of Liseux, a young girl who overcame life's obstacles to fulfill her dream of becoming a nun. If you ever get the chance, see the film. If it is ever released on DVD in the UK - buy it! You won't regret it!
