This thought provoking French language film is a tender tearjerker, but undeniably soul-stirring. Marion-Rivard, in her debut performance, is riveting and lovable; a character you can't help but root for.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 1, 2021

When members of the the choir trade verses of his poignant ballad 'Ordinaire' (Je suis un gars bien ordinaire..."), it has never had such heart-breaking resonance.

| Aug 7, 2019

Quebecois writer/director Louise Archambault's sophomore feature is a skillfully told celebration of the human spirit.

| Nov 1, 2018

Not to drown out the sizeable praise this got from Locarno audiences with pedantic political correctness, but there comes a point when the tastelessness from one's production methods overwhelms any goodwill one's film might otherwise have earned.

| Nov 18, 2017

The film, weighing in at more than 100 minutes, often feels like watching grass grow because, despite the complexity of the underlying conflict, romantic love in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds...

| Sep 16, 2017

Writer-director Louise Archambault uses a free and easy camera style and mosaic-like editing to suggest how intensely Gabrielle responds to elements of everyday life.

| Original Score: B | Jul 7, 2014

Casting Marion-Rivard in the title role was a risk that paid off, giving the film its authenticity, also its imperfections, which are easy enough to live with.

| Jul 3, 2014

If "Gabrielle" is a likable crowd-pleaser, it would be much better without the extra dollop of organic honey.

| Jul 3, 2014

Frequently charming.

| Original Score: B- | Jul 3, 2014

Archambault has a rare light in Marion-Rivard, whose wide smile is infectious: When she sulks, it feels like the whole world is tumbling down.

| Jul 2, 2014

Writer-director Louise Archambault's neatly affirmative denouement is at odds with the more uncertain reality occurring at the edges of the film's drama.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jul 1, 2014

The film drags when some scenes run long. Its sentiment is appealing, though, and its sincerity doesn't cloy.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 30, 2014

Touching heart string-puller about a mentally challenged young woman... a sincere, thoughtful rendering of that old maxim about setting free the things you love.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 26, 2014

Archambault tackles potentially uncomfortable subject matter with both empathy and frankness.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 19, 2014

As a thought-provoking valentine to tolerance, acceptance and the yearning for love, Gabrielle wears its heart comfortably, and proudly, on its sleeve.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 19, 2014

Music is the emotive backdrop on which this moving portrait of a disabled woman eager to explore the boundaries of her capabilities and sexual desires is set.

| May 24, 2014

Archambault's handling of Gabrielle and Martin's sexuality is one of the pic's strong suits, presenting their desire with a refreshing, straightforward honesty.

| Apr 14, 2014

An occasionally blunt but well-acted love story.

| Apr 14, 2014

It isn't entirely free of sugar, and by the end loses sight of the qualities that initially made it so engaging.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Feb 5, 2014

An emotionally raw yet uplifting drama about a mentally challenged woman (Gabrielle Marion-Rivard) struggling with first-time romance and a desire to be independent.

| Original Score: B+ | Feb 4, 2014