User reviews

A feel good movie. Nothing new or special, but makes you feel relaxed. Relationship between the dad & the daughter, wolf & Vicky, dad & his friend are all presented very well. There have been movies in the past that demonstrates the relationship between humans & animals. But I was seeing one again after a long time. Well made movie!

Scenario: the small town of Cantal in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France's central plateau and its scarcely populated environs. The characters are Victoria, an eight year old whose mother has recently died, Stéphane, her father and Thierry, her mother's brother. Victoria is deeply affected by her mother's death and refuses (or is unable) to speak, Stéphane has moved with Victoria to an old and neglected farmhouse near Cantal, property of the family and formerly used as a summer house. He and Thierry hope that the relocation will help Victoria heal. That actually happens in a way via a puppy of unknown origin that an old farmer lets Victoria adopt. The script is based on a real story where the real Virginia was three years old.

If this movie belongs to a genre it would be that of intelligent children's movies that grownups will can also enjoy, like John Sayles' The Secret of Roan Innis. As a story, it compares to the quality books my generation (and maybe the next) read as children such as Jack London's White Fang. Within its aims, the movie totally succeeds. Acting is good all around, and the cinematography of Fabrizio Fontemaggi immerses us unobtrusively in the beautiful Auvergne landscapes, both summer and winter. Script by director and (four) collaborators is lively and witty, with some hints about each character's past. Direction is smooth and fluid. The wolves are real and amazingly natural in front of the camera (one is tempted to say they are good actors). And, finally, we learn something about wolf packs and the interface people/wolves in France. Surviving wolves are just a few hundred and hunting them is illegal, a situation that doesn't suit sheep farmers, A quality movie.

For those who seem to give this movie bad reviews for "acting and voiceovers", you may find it more enjoyable to watch in the original language.

The only problem I have with this movie is that its very obviously a wolf pup. The child thinking it's a dog is passable but an adult man not recognizing it as a wolf is a little harder to believe.

But as a sucker for movies about people with bonds with animals, it was enjoyable to watch.

There's a Youtube channel called The Dodo that has lots of 3 minute feel good videos about human animal interaction, and animal animal interaction. This is like a 90 minute version of one of those!

But still a light feel good movie. Maybe not a deep plot where you learn much but still an enjoyable view. Great shots of the French countryside and beautiful wolves.

The plot of the movie is the same as many other films of the genre: child forms bond with animal, single parent needs to keep child happy, evil people hate animal. And that's fine. You just have to show enough of the (same) animal and have a compelling story. Unfortunately, the focus was mainly on the little girl, who couldn't act to save her life, and little on the wolf. You felt no connection between the wolf and the girl and you couldn't even form one with the wolf yourself, because they kept changing the actual animal, sometimes from an older one to a younger one!

So bottom line is that not enough focus was on the wolves or on the actual actors in the film. I love Tchéky Karyo, but he played in like three scenes in total. It isn't a completely bad movie, but I feel like it failed to achieve its purpose.

Simple story with great views and the wolves are beautiful and amazing!! Did not find anything wrong with the story as I'm a believer that animals and humans can have really strong bonds! Enjoy it!

7.4 stars.

What I really like about this film is the heartwarming feeling that it provides from start to finish. It's about an 8 year old girl who has lost her mom recently to some illness. The dad moves them to a remote cabin style house in the French Alps. She is given a wolf puppy by one of their neighbors. We realize Mystery is a wolf, but the dad and uncle don't. The bad news is that wolves are hunted in this region because they eat lots of sheep and the sheep herders' livelihood is threatened.

The rest of the story is predictable, you can guess what will happen next. Mystery is discovered, sheep herders are angry, little girl is beside herself, dad is conflicted. No need to dig too deep into the cliche plot. What I really found quite emotional was the beautiful sad and sometimes joyful music, but it evokes very strong emotions, all the while we fall helplessly in love with this tame wolf and a little girl who depends upon the companionship of little Mystery more than anything. It's really a powerful and, if I'm being honest, over emotionally charging story. I cried hard, it felt so bittersweet. These animal movies can be overwhelming sometimes.

The land is gorgeous, the wolf pup adorable, the pack magnificent. But the human film makers never show the actual care and feeding of this pup. She brings it home in a bag, hides it in a cupboard, never gives it food or water or training etc etc. Raising wild animals is far more than idyllic catch and release.

I see lots of bad reviews, but I think maybe people don't understand.

First, this is inspired by a true story and meant to be a family film.

Second, I watched it in French, and I can see how a dubbed version could fall flat.

I felt the writing and acting were perfectly fine.

I also appreciated how it explored the many facets of societal issues.

But the best part, for me, was the visual aspect. It was simply magnificent!

First Ii usually never watch movies like this and usually just like dark and gritty stories recently like Gomorrah, El Marginal, or even GOT. This movie turned me into a puddle and had me feeling joyous then literally crying and then back to feeling good again. I can watch people get blown up and not feel much in other shows/movies but something about seeing a sweet little girl and her animal in pain or suffering even a little can take down even the hardest guy. Props to everyone involved in working with the wolves to make this movie. I think sometimes even the simplest plot can really bring out the most visceral feelings inside you especially with little kids involved. I really recommend this to almost everyone but just remind the family it's make believe because there's a couple gut punches along the way to an otherwise feel good movie. For the guy complaining about voice overs I would say pull up your big boy pants and learn to read subtitles. I mean come on are we really this lazy(or other adjectives)? I can understand if you got bad eyes or something but you really need to watch shows in there original native language or miss so much even if you don't understand. You can still get so much from just the tone, ect watching it in original language. Enjoy!

Wolves are loyal and protective of their own. Just like a "normal human" protecting their family, so are wolves. Hunters crave to hurt and kill these beautiful and majestic creatures because of the real fear they have of them. Wolves kill prey to feed their own. As if we don't do the same in killing cows , pigs , chickens and much more. Long live Wolves! Beautiful movie.

This film made me smile and cry, beautiful in its unpretentious simplicity with authentic feel about the actors, especially the llittle girl- This is not a Disney story nor a scientific documentary about wolves but a real story about a little girl , Victoria , who gew up together with a wolf pup (the reay Victoria was even only 3!) and formed a strong, wonderful, inseparable bond. Recently oprhaned Victoria grows from bereaved, lost and helpless feelign girl to a mature person who nurtures and loves another culnerablle creature- which gives her back her speech and in the end ,makes the hardest decision for herself, putting the welfare and survival of the friend she loves above her own needs, small and young as she is. It alos highlights the real life problems between wolf and man and any rewilding projects in an objective way. As I said beffore : This is not a Disney production but a soft spoken, realistic but also very emotional telling of a true story- Either you love that or you leave it and look for artifice . I promise you smiles and tears i you do give it a chance.

Girl and wolf-cub bond. And, there's a plot, drama. Very sweet. Incredible how the director was able to capture it on film. Good acting. Intelligent dialogue. Great photography and scenery. Feel good movie (mostly).

A good lesson for humans to learn about not interfering with wild life and stop ancient myths about Animals.

I don't understand people who rate a movie based on dubbing!

Silly misleading English title! Mystere the French title is meaningful and I can't understand why they change it.

**** LITTLE SPOILER ALERT****

You can watch with the whole family.