I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987)

Scatterbrained Polly gets a job as a secretary in Gabrielle's art gallery. Gabrielle has a romantic relationship with the painter Mary. Polly hangs a picture by Mary believing that ... See full summary »

Director:

Patricia Rozema

Writer:

Patricia Rozema

Stars:

Sheila McCarthy, Paule Baillargeon, Ann-Marie MacDonald

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sheila McCarthy	...	Polly Vandersma
Paule Baillargeon	...	Gabrielle St. Peres
Ann-Marie MacDonald	...	Mary Joseph
Richard Monette	...	Clive
John Evans	...	Warren
Brenda Kamino	...	Waitress

Storyline

Scatterbrained Polly gets a job as a secretary in Gabrielle's art gallery. Gabrielle has a romantic relationship with the painter Mary. Polly hangs a picture by Mary believing that Gabrielle made it.

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Plot Keywords:

art | art gallery | painting | lesbian | toronto ontario canada | 

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Taglines:

Isn't life the strangest thing you've ever seen?

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brief strong language

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Akousa tis seirines na tragoudane

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

$1,408,491 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canada Council, The, National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Ontario Arts Council

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is a reference to a line in T.S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" that reads: "I have heard the mermaids singing each to each / I do not think that they will sing to me."

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Quotes

Polly Vandersma: Isn't life the strangest thing you've ever seen?

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Connections

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

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Soundtracks

"OPEN WINDOW"
By Mark Korven
Courtesy of Duke Street Records

User Reviews

Art at a Different Level and Beyond Reach

This is one of the two simple films about art that made deep impact on me even after all these years since their releases.

Patricia Rozema's "I've Heard the Mermaids Singing" deals with the subjectivity of art which is always relevant in any context. The master's childish art is readily being celebrated and consumed like fast food while the amateur's masterpiece is undiscovered but remain sacred. It reminds us to keep true art away from the corruption of consumerism.

Victor Erice's "The Quince Tree Sun" is probably the most boring film you'll ever watch, but just as the artist finds it impossible to capture the shifting sunlight, we realize it is no longer important to finish a piece of painting, if at all it is possible, as art is in the process not the result. We consciously experience the passing of time while watching the film! Brilliant.

Both films allow art to be taken to a different level, beyond the reaches of commercialism and physicality.