Emerging dramatic talent
The Quebec film industry is a world apart, and the local talent appears much larger in the mirror than it would on a larger stage. Still, some individuals stand head and shoulders above the rest. This is a triple picture show review.
Karine Vanasse started out on TV, keeping the children on the road to science with a program called “Les Debrouillards”. My three sons have all sat and watched the program during its broadcast years. She started out as a teen sidekick to the versatile Gregory Charles; by the time the show left production, she was an adult. Then, she put the childish roles aside and became an adult.
Remember, I’ve seen these only in video, so I have to assume that her presence on the large screen is even better, but this is a person that can wear the serious suits. In 2002, she starred in Seraphin: Un Homme Et Son Péché which put her in the company of the “big names”. She held her own and more.
Several months ago, I rented the movie Sans Elle which is set (partially) in the Magdalen Islands. Karine plays the role of a young girl following a mysterious set of clues that may lead to her mother who disappeared some time before. I found the depth of her acting great, and at no time did I find myself wishing I’d rented something else. I recommend this movie, without hesitation.
Finally, in the best traditions of rental movies, today we watched Ma Fille, Mon Ange which has an adult theme; Karine is involved in the seedier side of adult entertainment, and her father happens across the video trailer used to advertise the daughter’s new career. Set in Montreal, with some great scenery shots, this movie kept the whole family interested right until the end. We even had it back to the rental store on time, which shows that we didn’t fall asleep before the end. Not as good as her other roles, but neither could this one be done by an actress with less self-assurance.
I’m really curious if I used to attend school with two of her aunts. The six degrees of separation are in play here.
