128 of 131 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Angst-filled Love Story Tinged with Tragedy, February 10, 2005
"shall I abide in this dull world, which in thy absence is no better than a sty?" -Antony and Cleopatra, Act IV, scene XV
Take a touch of Shakespeare, a dash of drama, and the passion of first loves, and you'll have "Lost and Delirious," the stunning film by Canadian filmmaker, Léa Pool. Based on the novel, "The Wives of Bath" by Susan Swan, the film follows the lives of three very different boarding school roommates: shy and unassuming Mary "Mouse" Bradford (Mischa Barton, The Sixth Sense, TV's The O.C.), the striking and rakish rebel, Paulie (Piper Perabo, Coyote Ugly), and beautiful, but privileged Tory (Jessica Paré).
Leaving behind a life filled with sadness since the death of her mother, Mouse is quickly embraced by her new roommates and discovers a sense of belonging for the first time in her life. Dubbed one of the "lost girls" by Paulie, she is mesmerized by Paulie's bold and rebellious nature. She also finds her roommates to be more than friends, as Paulie and Tory's late-night rendezvous and moments of whispered passion become part of her daily existence.
Alas, nothing is forever, and the newfound peace Mouse has come to enjoy is soon shattered when Tory and Paulie are discovered, their relationship exposed. Faced with the possibility of her family finding out, Tory panics and abruptly ends the relationship, going to the extreme of fabricating lies and embracing a relationship with a boy from a neighboring school. All the while, Tory professes to Paulie she will never love anyone like she loves her, but it's time they "grew out of it."
Tory's betrayal is nothing short of devastating to Paulie, who loves with all her heart and sees Tory as the only person who has ever loved her. Abandoned by her birth mother, Paulie had an almost desperate need to be loved and she found that in Tory. Faced with the loss of their love, she embarks on a mission to get her back and enlists Mouse as her partner in crime.
Torn between the two, Mouse is overwhelmed. Her attempts to console Paulie are shunned after she tells Paulie that Tory's simply not a lesbian. "Lesbian?" Paulie responds, outraged. "Are you f***ing kidding me? You think I'm a lesbian?! I am Paulie in love with Tory..." At first glance, some lesbians may find that sort of response disturbing in a lesbian film. But if you reflect for a moment, you see the brilliance of Léa Pool's vision with that statement. For Paulie, she simply loves Tory. Period. End of story. It's not about being a lesbian and all the trappings of the word. It is simply about love from the heart. What Pool does is make you look beyond labels, beyond societal mandates, beyond the guilt placed on those who love outside society's approval, and allows you to see love in its purest form. She lets you see how we all could love if there were no rules.
The character of Paulie is simply fantastic! Reminiscent of Angelina Jolie during her Oscar-winning portrayal of the sociopath, Lisa, in "Girl, Interrupted," Perabo's performance is stunning as she embodies Paulie's eroding mental instability. For Paulie, life is all or nothing. "Love is...it just is...," she says, and if you don't have it, you have nothing. Although young love is typically cast as desperate and angst-ridden, you actually feel Paulie's heartbreak and desperation over the loss of the only person who has ever loved her. The rollercoaster of Paulie's emotions increase when, after making love for the last time, Tory tells her that she will never love anyone as she does Paulie, kisses her, then leaves. Paulie's fragile state of mind is simply shattered after that and the consequences of her ensuing actions bring about an ending of Shakespearean proportion.
The supporting cast is not to be forgotten. Jackie Burroughs as caring head mistress, Ms. Vaughn, and Mimi Kuzyk as tough professor, Ms. Bannet, are superb in their roles. Vaughn casts the sympathetic role, attempting to help Paulie as she spirals out of control, while Bannet plays the tough, but caring, partner who sees danger ahead. Although their relationship is never defined, it is questioned by the girls and often the topic of speculation. Graham Greene shines in his role as the school's gardener, and newfound friend and confidant, of Mouse. Insights into Mouse's life and her growing concern for what's happening and Paulie's deteriorating condition are played out during her moments with Greene in the most delightful manner.
Brilliant directing, superb acting, and love's ultimate sacrifice - this film has it all. "Lost and Delirious" is a timeless tale about mad, passionate love that crosses all boundaries, and the tragic consequences we sometimes face when that love goes awry. It is truly destined to be a classic.
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184 of 196 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and Unique, September 14, 2001
This movie is beyond anything I've seen. The first time I watched it, I thought I would know every twist and turn. I prepared myself. But throughout the film I became filled with all these emotions for these characters. Mary "Mouse" Bradford, Pauline Oster, and Victoria Moller were all differently and beatifically captured by Lea Pool's artistic eye. The story follows three girls in a boarding school, two who have fallen in love and the other caught in the middle of the drama. Both the script and performances are memorable and emotional. As the story unfolded, I started to care for Paulie's grand show of love, Tori's fears, and Mouses' confusion towards the loyalties of both friends. I watched the most heart-wrenching scene ever-depicted on screen. Tori tells her sister that nothing really happened between her and Paulie --- the camera goes into slow motion, the song Beautiful by Me'Shell Ndgeocello comes on and Tori realized she just betrayed Paulie. The movie progresses towards a shocking ending and is filled with symbolism and Shakespearean poetry. Lea Pool has captured first love and all it's anguish. Love is love and transcends beyond anything "because love is! It just is because nothing you can say can make it go away because it is the point of why we are here. It is the highest point and once you are up there, looking down on everyone else, you are there forever." as Paulie puts it.
Lost and delirious is a very beautiful and unique film, which deals with the implications of love. The film captures what love really is, an all-encompassing,life-affirming feeling. I truly, madly, deeply recommend this film.
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46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sure to have an effect!, December 30, 2002
I am afraid that I can not find words strong enough to describe how truely wonderful this film is. I mean in an era of brainless light dramas, Lost and Delirious is a deep and refreshing look at real drama.
When Mouse, young introvert still greiving her mothers death, arrives at her new boarding school, she doesn't hold out much hope of enjoying herself. At first, there seems to be no real redeeming qualities of her new environment, then she meets her roommates; Victoria and Pauline, who acting as surragate sisters take mouse under their wing, giving her all the support she needs. When Tory and Paulie are found to be lovers, everyone's worlds start to crummble. Tory, terrified of being outted to her family, breaks up with Paulie. Paulie takes this devastatingly hard ( in such an artisticlly beautiful way). And Mouse is left to play stablizing crutch to Paulie. In the end we all find out how far love can drive you, and Mouse finds the strength to behold her mother's memory.
I thought I had seen Piper Perabo act before (Coyote Ugly, The Adventures of Rocky and Bulwinkle), but obviously those films were not worthy of her talent. She brought the character of Pauline alive so convincingly that I found myself crying over her pain as though it were my own.
This is for sure the best movie I've ever seen.(I've seen alot)
I am sure my family is ready to declare me insane because I keep randomly spouting lines from this movie.(it has had that much of an effect)I watched this at least 8 times in 3 days. I hope others will enjoy it as much as I have.
GREAT ACTING, GREAT CINEMATOGRAPHY,GREAT STORY,...GREAT MOVIE!!!
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