I've Heard the Mermaids Singing

I've Heard the Mermaids Singing is a charming and intriguing Canadian film released in 1987 that documents an engaging blend of personal growth, art critique, and subtle societal commentary, all through the eyes of its unassuming protagonist. Directed by Patricia Rozema, the award-winning movie introduces viewers to the world of Polly Vandersma, aptly portrayed by Sheila McCarthy.

A self-proclaimed, "organizationally impaired" temp worker, Polly forms an endearing, relatable, and distinctly human character who, despite her lack of ambition, allows us to connect effortlessly with her life's outlook. Besides possessing an unusually appreciative eye for beauty, she also has a knack for photography, with her candid and naive charm adding an extra layer of allure to the film's narrative. However, it's Polly’s love of art that eventually leads her to Gabrielle St. Peres' door, played by the award-winning French-Canadian actress Paule Baillargeon.

Gabrielle, an elegant and sophisticated curator of an art gallery, is both an intriguing paradox and an inspirational figure in Polly's world. As the movie progresses, Polly's admiration for Gabrielle rapidly blooms into an intangible infatuation - a nuanced romantic inclination that Rozema explores with great sensitivity. Gabrielle's mysterious young assistant, Mary, is played by Ann-Marie MacDonald, whose complex relationship with Gabrielle complicates the narrative further. The interplay between the central trio surfaces facets of human dynamics and emotions, offering an insightful audience experience.

Viewers discern the film through Polly’s perspective, combining her chaotic yet vibrant and imaginative energy with the tranquil environment of the art gallery. It’s a delightful clash of two worlds, beautifully intertwined with the film’s playful infusion of magical realism, most evidently exhibited in Polly's whimsical fantasies and her strangely serene relationship with water and mermaids - a significant element that gives the film its title.

The film employs a documentary-style narrative approach, further drawing in the audience into Polly's world. It capitalizes on her innate artistry, often highighted in scenes where Polly juxtaposes nature with everyday objects to produce masterpieces. The blend of Polly’s quirkiness, her observations, the complications arising from her affection for Gabrielle, and the intricacy of art, lend this film an aura of subdued complexity that subtly confronts the onscreen societal norms of the late 80s. Moreover, the film's use of black-and-white still photographs contrasts magnificently with colour sequences, enhancing the visual storytelling.

What makes I've Heard the Mermaids Singing a truly heartwarming film is its standalone perspective on the sophistication around art and the insecurities it arouses in common individuals. It remarkably explores how the understanding and acceptance of art are largely subjective, allowing for a wide array of interpretations and subsequently validating Polly's childlike embracement of the same.

Delivering a narrative that's as profound as it is tender, I've Heard the Mermaids Singing is an exploration of the human condition’s quieter, simpler aspects through a character not usually given the limelight. Simultaneously, it refrains from sugar-coating reality, portraying a poignant, surreal, and humourous tale of unrequited love, self-acceptance, and individual growth. As someone who defines herself as an "ordinary person," Polly's narrative enables the film in leaving a powerful, lasting impression on viewers' minds.

Without any superficial glamour or exaggeration, I've Heard the Mermaids Singing perfectly captures the essence of a genuine slice-of-life narration, stringing together elements of human nature, art, and relationships with a delicate subtlety. By the end, the film triumphs in painting an intimate portrait of a woman coming to understand herself and the world around her, much like the art she adores. This unique masterpiece is not only a testament to the expressive power of cinema but also a tribute to the unassuming complexity of everyday life and the unfolding joys discovered within its simplicity.