I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987)

Scatterbrained Polly gets a job as a secretary in Gabrielle's art gallery. Polly aspires to be a professional photographer, and idolizes Gabrielle for her artistic ability. When Gabrielle ... 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. Polly aspires to be a professional photographer, and idolizes Gabrielle for her artistic ability. When Gabrielle rekindles an old romantic relationship with the younger painter Mary, Polly becomes jealous, and discovers Gabrielle is not who she claims to be.

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Plot Keywords:

triple f rated | art | art gallery | lesbian | female protagonist | 

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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:

Le chant des sirènes

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$262,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,408,491

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the art gallery in downtown Toronto, Canada was "The Church Gallery".

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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

Viens, Mallika, les liane en fleurs (from Lakmé)
Composed by Léo Delibes
Courtesy of Pathé Marconi

User Reviews

I want to be buried with this movie.

I usually don't watch movies more than once. But this lovely film is one that I have regular cravings for. It is so smart, unpretentious, and unassuming. It's subtle and multi-layered and such a treat to view.

It's a quiet film too, with refreshing insights and ideas about relationships. The contemplative pace of the film gives you time to enjoy the ideas and feelings that come up in the characters and in yourself. On more than one occasion while watching the film my breath was taken away with surprise and delight.

I guess another draw for me is the female characters: how refreshing to meet women who are multidimensional, portrayed with authority and authenticity (and having interesting faces I could watch forever).

And I love how the story is so simple, a late bloomer's coming of age (or rather coming into her creativity)--a 'bildungsroman' in a film about art.

Thanks Patricia Rozema et al! What a treasure.