Search - I've Heard the Mermaids Singing on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1987 DVD Release: 01/13/2004 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 23 mins Studio: Miramax Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Drama, Romance, Gay & Lesbian Films, Workplace Comedy

Lensed on a smile and a shoeshine on 16 millimeter, I've Heard the Mermaids Singing effectively shifts from black and white to color and back again to make its artistic statement. Sheila McCarthy stars as a self-effacing amateur photographer who goes to work for yuppie art-curator Paule Baillargeon. Ms. McCarthy expresses her admiration for Ms. Baillargeon by secretly submitting the latter's paintings to some appreciative critics. Baillargeon responds by behaving atrociously towards McCarthy. This shakes up McCarthy to the point that she realizes she'll never succeed as an artist on her own terms long as she hides behind the accomplishments of others. This apparently autobiographical first film by director Patricia Rozema (we say "apparently" because Sheila McCarthy's character name is rhythmically and ethnically close to Rozema's) won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sheila McCarthy - Poly Vandersma
Paule Baillargeon - Gabrielle St. Peres
Ann-Marie MacDonald - Mary Joseph
John Evans - Warren
Brenda Kamino - Japanese Waitress

This offbeat comedy, which features a winning performance by Sheila McCarthy, has been given a well-appointed presentation for its North American release on DVD. I've Heard the Mermaids Singing has been transferred to disc in letterboxed format in the widescreen aspect ratio of 1.66:1, which has been enhanced for anamorphic playback on 16 x 9 monitors. The audio has been remixed for playback in Dolby Digital 5.1. The dialogue is in English, with no multiple-language options. Bonus materials include a commentary track from director Patricia Rozema, cast and crew biographies, a gallery of production photos, and the film's original theatrical trailer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide