“Gabrielle” Meets the Challenges of Life Itself
By Skip Sheffield
Handicapped people have the same wants, needs and hopes of what we smugly call "normal people."
“Gabrielle” is a French-Canadian film starring Gabrielle Marion-Rivard
as the title character. Like her character, Gabrielle has Williams Syndrome; a
genetic disorder that often slows cognitive skills while increasing sociability
and musical skills.
Outgoing Gabrielle, 22, attends Les Muses du Montreal, a
school for differently-abled young people. Her perfect pitch and good singing
voice make her a valuable member of the school choir. The star male singer is
Martin (Alexandre Landy), who is handsome and high-functioning, but has an overly-protective
mother (Marie Gignac). Choir director Remi (Vincent–Guillame Otis) has landed
the choir a featured spot in a public concert that stars recording artist
Robert Charlebois, who plays himself.
I had never heard of Robert Charlebois. He is a major
star particularly among French-Canadians. The rugged-looking Charlebois is charming
and self-deprecating. “I’m just an ordinary guy,” he tells the students, which
is also a lyric from one of his confessional songs.
There are three simultaneous plot threads in director Louise
Archambault’s screenplay. The first is the impending concert. The second is
Gabrielle’s budding love affair with Martin, and its formidable obstacles. The
third is Gabrielle’s quest for independence in the absence of her sister, best
friend and protector, Sophie (Melissa Desormeaux-Poulin). Sophie desires to travel to
India to be with her boyfriend. Gabrielle’s mother (Isabelle Vincent) considers
her a burden and is unwilling to care for her. Gabrielle thinks she can rent an
apartment and live on her own, but she does not fully comprehend her
limitations.
“Gabrielle,” which won a Canadian Screen Awards for Best
Motion Picture and Best Actress, should be of special interest for those who deal with and care
for the mentally challenged. It also throws out a challenge to the fully
cognizant to be more compassionate and understanding of those of lesser ability.
It is an inspiring achievement for the real-life disabled actors of Les Muses
de Montreal and especially their star, Gabrielle Marion-Rivard.
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