Page Turner (French, 2006)

Cast: Catherine Frot, Deborah Francois, Christine Citti,Pascal Greggory

All Melanie (Deborah Francois) ever wanted was to be a pianist. At a tender age, she prepares arduously for an audition to enroll at a prestigious academy for budding prodigies. Off to a good start Melanie's playing turns into a distracted effort when one of the judges directs her attention to give an autograph. She loses out on the audition and this experience crushes her pianist ideals for good. Years later a grown up Melanie goes to work as an intern at a law firm. Upon overhearing that her boss is in need of a temporary nanny, she offers her services.
Madeline shifts to her employer's residence beginning her role as a nanny to twelve year old Tristan. Tristan's mother Ariane (Catherine Frot) we learn is the famous pianist judge who cost Melanie her failed audition and shattered pianist dreams. Since an auto accident, Ariane has developed a case of the nerves especially when performing. In Melanie's company, she feels reassured despite warnings from her artist friend who finds Melanie of dubious character.
A very sensual, pyshcologically thrilling drama. What's absorbing is the way the camera follows and explores the changing moods of the central characters continually building on the exuberance of Melanie's youth and it's impact on Ariane.

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Sabah: A Love Story (2005)

Cast: Arsinée Khanjian, Shawn Doyle, Fadia Nadda, Jeff Seymour, Kathryn Winslow, David Alpay, Aaron Abrams, Kaylen Christensen, Setta Keshishian, Roula Said

Sabah who's single, just turns forty. Her family comes together to celebrate her birthday. They are conservative muslim Syrians who migrated many moons ago to Toronto. After their father's demise years back, Sabah's brother Majid took over the family business, and also took it upon himself as the head of the family. As such he routinely imposes traditional restrictions to curb the 'western' desires of his wife, sister, and neice. Sabah's job is to take care of her mother. On her daily errands, she stops by at a local club to swim in the afternoons. There she runs into Steven, a furniture maker, whom she falls in love with. The problem is Sabah's forced to lead a double life for fear of her family discovering their forbidden love.
How the secret unfolds forms the latter part of the story. This reminded me a little of the Big Fat Greek Wedding only more real and subdued. Sensitive topics like wearing the hijab are portrayed naturally without much hoohah.

This is easily a fun, thought-provoking movie.
Rating: Four stars.