Customer Reviews

Lost & Delirious [VHS]

5 star:		(125)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

"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.

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.

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!!!

This movie is truely exceptional. It deals with total love (which happens to be between two young women). An independant and strong woman (Paulie played by Piper Perabo) loses her lover (Tori played by Jessica Pare)and gradually sinks into dispair. The story is observed/narrated by Mouse (Mischa Barton).

Tori and Paulie are deeply in love, easy and relaxed with each other and passionate about each other. Paulie is the strength in the relationship protecting her woman. Tori fears family disapproval and cuts off the woman she loves. Paulie fights to win back her lover against impossible odds. The movie is deeply sad, is well acted (brilliantly in the case of Perabo - this woman will be a mega-star) and is an emotional roller coaster. To quote the author Carole Taylor - "Love conquers nothing. Fear conquers all" (from "A Third Story"). For L&D fans, the music "Beautiful" is by Me'Shell Ndegeocello from the CD "Bitter". The movie is based on the book "The Wives of Bath" by Susan Swan. This movie is a must for anyone (of either sex) who loves women. Of my 200 DVD collection, this one I could not survive without. The quote of the movie: - "I am not a lesbian, I am Paulie and I love Tori". This is romance at its finest (and saddest)if you watch it a dozen times you will find more nuances and still wish you could make it ok for them - It deserves to be recognised as the classic romance that it is. BUY IT.

I had only seen Piper Perabo in "Coyote Ugly" before I saw this film, and I was not expecting much from her before I saw "Lost and Delirious". I was very suprised at her amazing acting talents, and this was not an easy role. The movie follows a teen named Mary/Mouse, who is sent to an all-girl boarding school where she rooms with two lovers names Paulie(Perabo) and Tori. As the movie progresses, the three girls become very close friends, but all is brought to chaos when Paulie and Tori are discovered to be lovers. Immediately Tori pushes Paulie away, driving Paulie to drastic measures and causing her to go crazy. I assure you, you will not be dissapointed with this film. The acting, plot, and cinematography is outstanding! I definately reccomend you go buy or rent this film as soon as possible.

You probably recognize Piper Perabo from the movie she did last year, "Coyote Ugly." She did OK in that, but in this movie she really lets loose and proves herself an actress of intense emotion. The story's about a new girl (Mischa Barton) who moves into a boarding school and rooms with Tori (Jessica Pare) and Pauline (Perabo). Tori and Pauline are involved in a steamy, emotionally intense relationship until they are discovered in bed together. Feeling threatened, Tori breaks it off and Pauline tries to furiously win her back. I really liked the story line of the movie, especially the way Pauline acts after the relationship has broken off. I thought Barton also did a good job as the shy new roommate, and Pare was good in her role as well. But it's Perabo who fires this flick up, her performance is enough to make those who dismissed her after "Coyote Ugly" sit up and take another look. Only part I had trouble with was the ending, it was a bit weird and too fantasy-like for a movie like this. Still, it's definitely worth seeing.

I can't believe how many negative reviews there are about this movie. I do admit the movie has very little to do with the book. Actually both are extremely different. So if you have read The Wives of Bath and expect the movie to reflect the book, you will be disappointed. However this is by far the BEST movie I have ever seen. It is one of those movies that stays with you, it can consume you if you allow it to. There are so more many themes represented in this movie than the obivoius, a girl in love with a girl. The most overlooked theme is the main theme: how a mother's unconditional love affects a daughter. Other themes include: passion, fear, obsession, stereotypes, finding identity, defiance, loyalty, rejection, and vunerability. Its about how far a human will go for love. If you like drama and are a fan of shakespearian movies, then you will love this movie. The acting was the most incredible I've ever seen. Piper Perablo is awesome. She can go from a quite soft whisper to a bold loud character on the brink of sanity with minitues in this movie. The ending is predictable, and movie wouldn't have been half as good without it. Although it is sad, it is the only way the movie could have ended. Paulie had to break the mold, you see, she couldn't become Miss Vaughn. Miss Vaughn (the headmistress) represents Paulie's fate, and Paulie just can't except that. Paulie doesn't go insane at the end, she just goes to far in love, and that is what this movie is about: love, passion, and going to far in love and how it can affect two lovers. This movie touched me on so many emotional levels. Anyone who loves a woman should see this movie. The movies takes away the "girl/girl relationship taboo." It is def. not a lesbian flick, it's a movie about love, and supports the notion that it doesn't matter what the gender is of the person you love...be who you are, and never compromise that, even if it takes everything away from you. It is a movie for those that can appreciate a good independent film, not those who are into the run of the mill mainstream movies. Lost and Delirious creates its own category, and it truly sets itself apart. I absolutely recommend it.

this film is about mary bradford(mischa barton)called mouse, who is sent to a boarding school by her father and step-mother 3 years after the death of her mother. the head mistress of the school, miss fay vaughn, played wonderfully by jackie burroughs, puts her in a room with 2 girls, victoria,tory,(jessica pare) and pauline (piper perabo), victoria's lover.

the 2 girls befriend mary and call her mary b.,short for mary brave, while the carry on their love affair under her nose, pretending she doesn't notice.

the small world of these 3 girls comes crashing down when victoria's younger sister come barging in one morning and finds victoria and pauline in bed together. victoria fears her sister will tell their parents and she will be disowned, so she breaks up with pauline and starts dating a friend of her brother, to prove she isn't gay.

this is where both girls count on mary friendship, victoria needs her to help pauline through the breakup and pauline needs mary as an anchor while she spins out of her control trying to get back her love.

mary proves to be a great friend, but doesn't have the ability to help pauline, while thoughs who do don't act on her behavior. all while pauline is losing her self, mary is finding an inner strength she never knew she had.

grahm green is also good as joe menzies, the gardner who mary befriends. this isn't so much a comming of age movie as it is a comming to self movie.

Lost and Delirious is truly one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. When I first rented this movie at the local Blockbuster, I was debating to myself whether or not renting this movie was a great idea or just a waste of money. When I started the movie, I was thrown into a world of confusion and sadness when I met "Mouse" played by Mischa Barton, who was on her way to the Perkins Girls College. I immediately developed an understanding of Mouse's shy, insecure personality when she was reflecting on the image of her dead mother. I was later greeted with Victoria -played by Jessica Pare, and Pauline - who was brilliantly played by Piper Perabo. Tori and "P", Mouse found out, were lovers who had an incredible bond toward one another. Unfortunately the two lovers were doomed because of the ever present homophobia that existed in Tori's parents, and her disgusting little sister. Watching Pauly pledge her undying love to Tory, and watching Tory reject her over and over again, made me feel like my heart was being ripped from my body. I have never felt such an incredible bond to a movie's characters, and I have never felt so sad and crushed about a movie's ending. This movie will leave you weeping, but it will also leave you with a better understanding of true love, how beautiful it is, and how easily it can be hidden by fear.

This film arrived too late for the young women growing up in the 60s, 70s and maybe even 80s who felt alone and freakish in a world that had no room for gays or lesbians. Of course, I can't speak for them myself, but I can imagine how it must have been, how it still is sometimes. Any films made during those years would have only reinforced horrific, negative stereotypes about lesbians (think "The Children's Hour" without the surprising tinge of sympathy).

"Lost and Delirious" is certainly not the first film of the 21st century to come along and portray same gender love in a less than monstrous light, but is one of the most easily accessible and less preachy ones. It could be about anyone who has ever been a misfit and fallen in love against everyone else's wishes.

Different people will bring their own history to this tale, but for many it is all too realistic. Even if you gently push the love story aspects aside, the portrayal of life in an all-girls' school is so accurate it almost hurts to watch. It's a sad part of life that many girls are cruel to each other during the teen years, but throw in the fact that two classmates who happen to be of the same sex fall in love with each other and suddenly hearts are being thrown in the meshing machine.

I swore I wouldn't cry while I watched this, I swore, but Piper Perabo is just too good and too convincing as a young woman torn apart inside by her own feelings. Her vulnerability and the way her classmates (most of all the girl she loves) treat her lead to an intense breaking point that would leave the coldest person in the world in tears. It's been a while since I've seen "Lost and Delirious" (even longer since I've been a teenager and been quite lost myself), but the film has always stayed with me...there are so many images, but as with many stories that are exceptional it's a simple scene that lingers: one where Piper Perabo's character forges a special relationship with a hawk, a bird that gives her more love than any human she encounters along the way.