Renee Girard Movies
- 2000
A resident of Montreal, the serially shy Malcolm (Andrew Tarbet) has never had a girlfriend. However, his ability to listen attentively has earned him the friendship of a number of women, including an elderly lady for whom he plays the piano and an abused neighbor he gives shelter. Malcolm's placid, solitary existence comes to an abrupt halt, however, when he meets Alicia (Laia Marull), a hot-blooded Chilean coping with imminent deportation. Against all of his natural inclinations, Malcolm is forced out of his shell by Alicia, even rising to the opportunity of a lusty round of salsa dancing. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laia Marull, Dino Tavarone, (more)
Michael (Patrick Dempsey) is a college student invited to spend Christmas vacation in Quebec City with his sweetheart Gabby (Jennifer Connelly) and her family. The wide-eyed Michael sees the city as a fairytale land with the splendid architecture gently dusted by the falling snow. When Michael arrives, Gabby tells him she is breaking up with him, and separate sleeping arrangements are made, and Gabby's mother (Florinda Bolkan) makes sure the visitor adheres to Gabby's wishes. Gabby's eccentric father (Andre Gregory) is an idealistic scholar who likes to work in the nude. Michael isn't lonely for long, as Gabby's two younger sisters show amorous interest in him. Lila Kedrova gives an excellent performance as the slightly daffy grandmother who believes Michael is her late husband. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Dempsey, Florinda Bolkan, (more)
- 1983
Strict behavior codes and the struggle to eke out a living provide a backdrop to this romantic drama set at the turn of the 20th century in rural, northern Quebec. Maria Chapdelaine (Carole Laure) returns to the home of her parents in a remote village, and during the period of one year, has her heart-strings pulled in three different directions at once -- though only one of those directions is what she really wants. She had been promised in marriage to the shy neighboring farmer (Pierre Curzi), whom she has known since they were children, but a suave man-about-town wants to marry her (Donald Lautrec), and a handsome trapper (Nick Mancuso) has fallen in love with her. Maria fluctuates between the trapper and the urban aristocrat, and as events unfold, her indecision leads to tragic consequences. Also filmed by Julien Duvivier in 1934, this story first became popular when published as a novel (by Louis Hemon) in 1913. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carole Laure, Nick Mancuso, (more)
- 1981
Set in 1963, this drama looks at the life of Barnie Margruder (Carl Marotte), a teenager dealing with school bullies, his bickering parents, his conflicting feelings about sex, and an often strained relationship with his girlfriend. Barnie's life begins to change when he makes friends with Winona (Charlaine Woodard), an African-American girl from the other side of the city, who gives him a new perspective on his town and the world. Hard Feelings, also known as Hang Tough, was partially filmed in Canada; the film enjoyed a brief theatrical run there, though it never opened in theaters in the United States. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Marotte
- 1978
In an attempt to sell his manuscript, a writer tries to persuade a prospective publisher that cats are ultimately evil by providing him with three different stories of kitty brutality in this anthology of horror. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Normande (Carole Laure) is a young woman who supports her family by working in a drugstore. Her mother is in an asylum, and her younger sister is a drug-addict. When she picks up a deranged youth and brings him home, he somehow manages to get her mother out of the asylum. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carole Laure, Reynald Bouchard, (more)
