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Ponette

1996·Movie
1h 37min
85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

Ponette fingerprint

No humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace2
  • Violence2

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Coming of Age8

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Situational Comedy0
  • Wit & Wordplay0
  • Physical Comedy0

World

The mind, growing up, and everyday modern life

  • World Immersion7
  • Novelty7
  • Dialogue Centrality6

Craft

Standout performances, direction, and characters

  • Acting10
  • Direction9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing6
  • Visual Stylization6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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You want something to laugh at

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

After losing her mother in a car accident that leaves her with a broken arm, 4-year-old Ponette struggles with anguish and fear. Left by her father with a caring aunt and her children, Ponette grieves, secretly hoping her mother will somehow come back. Confused by the religious explanations provided by adults, and challenged by the cruel taunts of a few children at school, little Ponette must make her way through her emotional turmoil.
Childhood Grief PortraitPsychological RealismUnflinching PerformanceSpiritual Crisis in YouthIntimate Character StudyEmotional RawnessAnti-Sentimental DramaVisual IntimacyExistential Inquiry

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Ponette

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Ponette legally?

GoodWatch doesn't know of a legal streaming option for Ponette in the United States right now. Pick another country in the Where to Watch section to check elsewhere.

Is Ponette worth watching?

85
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 86/100 (IMDb 7.5 and Rotten Tomatoes 92%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Ponette rated?

Disturbing imagery

Content advisories: disturbing imagery.

How long is Ponette?

1 h 37 min

Ponette runs 1 h 37 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Ponette?

Critics92
Audiences83

Not quite. Critics rate Ponette higher (92) than audiences (83). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Ponette in?

French

It was made in French. Produced in France.

In how many countries can I watch Ponette?

6BECHDKFRKRNZ

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Ponette in 6 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Ponette use?

Speak Ill of the DeadBack from the DeadMissing MomI Miss MomBittersweet EndingMoving Beyond BereavementHair of Gold, Heart of GoldDriven to SuicideDetrimental DeterminationInnocence LostTrauma Conga LineJerk with a Heart of Goldand 21 more

TV Tropes lists 33 storytelling tropes for Ponette, including Speak Ill of the Dead, Back from the Dead, Missing Mom.