Maelstrom

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Maelstrom

R,

2002,

1h 35m,

Comedy/

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

78%

37 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Bibiane (Marie-Josée Croze), a wealthy part-time model, questions her seemingly perfect life after she has a traumatic abortion. She succumbs to substance abuse and, while driving drunk one night, strikes a pedestrian and drives off. The next morning, she learns of a man who died after a hit-and-run. Wracked with guilt, she attends the man's funeral. There, she meets his son, Evian (Jean-Nicolas Verreault), and the pair begin a romance. But Bibiane is afraid to tell Evian her dark secret.

Critics Consensus

A peculiar breach of morality that leads with pretension: Denis Villeneuve guides Maelstrom through teetering absurdity without malicious intent.

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

Aug 1, 2002

3.5/4

Strange it is, but delightfully so.

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Philip Wuntch

Dallas Morning News

Jun 6, 2002

B

Darkly funny and frequently insightful.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

May 10, 2002

3/4

An original little film about one young woman's education.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Feb 6, 2025

6/10

The notions that life is messy and consequences can be exceptionally complex and whimsically unknowable are effectively quaint here.

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Dec 9, 2021

Perhaps the film's best part is its unconventional narrator-a fish on a fishmonger's chopping block...it's a fantastical and welcome intervention to an otherwise soapy movie.

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Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

Oct 15, 2019

Directed with astonishing flair by Denis Villeneuve, and powered by a charismatic performance from Marie-Josée Croze, this is an art film that is more bracing than most, surfing themes of guilt and despair without getting dragged down by the undertow.

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Anakin G

Jul 7, 2018

Here I am, finishing the filmography of Villeneuve with one of his first works. "Maelstrom" is abut the randomness of life and death. Probably nothing that I didn't see before, but I guess that a talking fish and some good music can go a long way (at least once).

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Albus L

May 6, 2018

Unusual drama with darkly comedic undertones (overtones?). Quirky exploration of depression, guilt, and loss. Worth a watch. Oh, and it is narrated by a fish head

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Poe S

Apr 10, 2018

Filme bem diferente e interessante....altas idas e vindas.

Finn W

Feb 10, 2018

Denis Villeneuve film I saw years ago. Simple story, realism except for little flaws. I think the theme is cruelty, whether willful, accidental, or naive. I like the idea of the double guilt we get to compare. Good work announcing better to come.

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George R

Feb 20, 2017

Even though I found the story uneven, the focused look at devastation is strong here. The over exposed look also helped achieve that.

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Albus R

Feb 14, 2017

(G) 7.6 [Denis Villenueve]

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Denis Villeneuve

Director

Marie-Josée Croze

Bibiane Champagne

Jean-Nicolas Verreault

Evian

Stephanie Morgenstern

Claire Gunderson

Pierre Lebeau

The Fish

Marc Gélinas

Actor

Faithless

85%

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Faithless

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Synopsis

Bibiane (Marie-Josée Croze), a wealthy part-time model, questions her seemingly perfect life after she has a traumatic abortion. She succumbs to substance abuse and, while driving drunk one night, strikes a pedestrian and drives off. The next morning, she learns of a man who died after a hit-and-run. Wracked with guilt, she attends the man's funeral. There, she meets his son, Evian (Jean-Nicolas Verreault), and the pair begin a romance. But Bibiane is afraid to tell Evian her dark secret.

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Producer: Roger Frappier, Luc Vandal
Screenwriter: Denis Villeneuve
Distributor: Alliance Atlantis Vivafilm, Arrow Entertainment, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.
Production Co: SODEC, Max Films Productions, Téléfilm Canada
Rating: R (Strong Nudity|Language|Abortion Scene|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2002, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Jan 17, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $353.7K
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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