Lourdes 2009

Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: In a film rich with provocative questions, Hausner audaciously examines the ambivalent nature of miracles. Are they gifts from a loving God or random occurrences, bereft of any moral or meaning? Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: Lourdes starts from the unexpected position of believing miracles are possible, but it doesn't paper over the religious and practical problems they raise -- for the blessed and bereft alike. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Beautifully led by birdlike Sylvie Testud as an ailing young woman in a wheelchair, every character (pilgrim and helper alike) exhibits a soul. And shaped with confident talent by the Austrian filmmaker, every serenely composed shot matters. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: A paralyzed young woman with MS stands up and walks in Lourdes, but it'll be a real miracle if anyone manages to stay awake throughout this extravagantly dull film. Read more

David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle: One of the most observant -- and enigmatic -- movies of the year. Read more

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: A provocative and surprising pleasure that may persuade even the most hardened rationalists to reconsider what religion means as a sanctity to those who have few other choices in life. Read more

Karina Longworth, Village Voice: Lourdes ultimately eschews rigorous religious inquiry to study the mechanics of envy and frustrated desire. Read more