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Piper Perabo, Jessica Paré, Mischa Barton, Jackie Burroughs, Graham Greene (II) ... see more see more... , Mimi Kuzyk

Three schoolgirls learn about the joys, sorrows, and varieties of love in this drama based on the novel The Wives of Bath by Susan Swan. Mary (Mischa Barton) is a quiet girl who is still recovering fr... read more read more...om the death of her mother. Mary's father and new stepmother, who are blind to her emotional needs, send her away to an all-girls college, where Mary becomes fast friends with her new roommates, sophisticated Paulie (Piper Perabo) and worldly Tory (Jessica Pare). But Mary soon discovers that Paulie and Tory are more than just friends, and have begun to pursue a passionate physical relationship. While initially puzzled by their lesbian leanings, Mary remains close friends with both of them; Tory's sister is not so open minded, however, and threatens to tell their parents about Tory's affair. Afraid and confused, Tory quickly breaks off her romance with Paulie and takes up with Jake (Luke Kirby), a student at a nearby boys' school. Paulie is heartbroken, and desperately struggles to win Tory back by writing her epic-length poems on the subject of love and loss. Paulie also finds a metaphor for her wounded heart as she finds an injured bird in the woods and struggles to restore it to health; in addition, she discovers an understanding soul in the person of Fay Vaughn (Jackie Burroughs), one of her teachers. Lost and Delirious was the first English-language feature for Québecois filmmaker Lea Pool; the film received its world premiere at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

78% liked it

15,626 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

58 critics

R, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Léa Pool

Release Date: July 20, 2001

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DVD Release Date: December 11, 2001

Stats: 1,040 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,040)

  • LitelBluHli
    June 11, 2009
    LitelBluHli
    I saw this on television years ago and have seen it a couple more times after that. It has some how stayed with me as I thought it wasn't your typical teen movie, it was much more dark and dramatic. The acting by the young girls were pretty good. There's also girl on girl action ... read morein here if you're into that.
  • puffchunk
    November 30, 2007
    puffchunk
    Blows with a capital B
  • Redlats
    August 12, 2007
    Redlats
    Teen love is so difficult when the love affair ends. And then there are all the images - this film reminds me of the plays we had to dissect in school - What is the significants of the raptor, of the Lady MacBeth quotes, etc. What is the role of the third person (Marissa from t... read morehe OC) in the friendship?

    As an aside, I like it when I notice it is a Canadian film too
  • Camus123
    July 17, 2007
    Camus123
    Two souls united. Two hearts entwined. A casual observer taken into the fold...becomes a friend...becomes a confidante. Together we make each other stronger or...we have the capacity to tear each other down. Two in love and a third to see, but what is left in the end when one suc... read morecumbs to the will of a close-minded family and culture...is there room for love when convention rules the day? Can you break down those walls built over time by family and see what your heart truly wants you to see? Will you plant the seed or be planted yourself? Move with this movie and be moved. It is a masterpiece.
  • stormcrowdark
    June 27, 2008
    stormcrowdark
    OK sure this can be slotted in to the Sex and Snowshoes camp of Canadian film-making but it is a pretty decent effort all around and there is some excellent acting. Like all Canadian films it runs to the tragic and the melodrama so make sure to bring some happy pills. You will al... read moreso recognize several faces here before their careers hit.
  • Parannoyed
    October 18, 2007
    Parannoyed
    Lost and Delirious is a savoury homage to homosexuality with Piper Perabo leading the way as Paulie, the teenager rejecting her gender mostly because of female subordination, but also for the woman she loves.

    I've read the original novel titled "The Wives of Bath" and I must s... read moreay it is NOTHING like it. The story, the characters, the ending... everything has basically been changed so that was a major bummer! But if you can forget about the novel, you'll see that this is actually a very good take on teenage homosexuality occuring at boarding schools (more like residential school I guess), among women.

    I enjoyed the love story, because it was very much different than what we are usually exposed to (The notebook, The lake house and all those romance films) and even though I couldn't relate to any of the characters, I was happy these actresses were brave enough to actually show us what it's like to be a girl in love with another girl and let go of their inhibitions.

    Brilliant! I loved it!
  • InaHH
    July 22, 2006
    InaHH
    Unfortunately the drama is a little over-the-top especially towards the end, otherwise a good film. I had some bad boarding-school-flashbacks, actually... ;-)
  • ericolsen1
    June 14, 2011
    ericolsen1
    Piper Perabo was amazing as Paulie, and it was an amazing film all around, but with one exception. Why the hell didn't Paulie just go splat at the end? I understand it was supposed to be symbolic, and that the director probably wanted to stay true to the novel, but please. When ... read morepeople attempt suicide by jumping off tall buildings, they don't turn into birds and fly away. At least last time I checked. Especially when you consider all the references to Shakespeare tragedies in "Lost and Delirious", an actual suicide would have made better sense, and it would have made for a better ending. Ah who knows, maybe Paulie didn't turn into a bird. Maybe she became Mighty Mouse and flew off to Planet Krypton.
  • adhdgoldfish
    October 9, 2010
    adhdgoldfish
    Okay so this movie is very poetic and deep. I adore the lines in this movie. I adore Polly's love for Tori. I love Polly's character. She's dramatic and intense and romantic. I love her devotion for Tori and I believe Tori feels the same way for Polly. Tori has everything to lose... read more for her love and Polly has everything to gain. I believe Tori's love is what made Polly able to cope with knowing her mother didn't want her. I also love the character Mary in this movie. She is so accepting and understanding. The two female teachers are also great in this movie. Wonderful acting and by far the best movie I've seen.
  • TheLOSTChick
    March 24, 2010
    TheLOSTChick
    Another great film that I haven't seen in a long time. Am once again reminded why Perabo is a fave of mine. Such a great performance. Love her!

    ** full review to come **

View All Lost and Delirious Reviews

Critic Reviews

Chris Vognar
August 23, 2001
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

Their characters may feel lost, but Ms. Perabo and Ms. Paré rank among the finds of the year. Full Review

Joe Baltake
August 17, 2001
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

This movie goes so far in the opposite direction of most films about teenagers that it might anger some viewers with its no-holds-barred honesty. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
July 27, 2001
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Barely skirting the lip of the ridiculous. Full Review

Kevin Courrier
July 27, 2001
Kevin Courrier, Globe and Mail

Pool and Thompson have turned a tough-minded, solid narrative into a campy piece of kitsch that panders to teenage angst. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
July 23, 2001
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Evokes the intimacies of teenage girls with unusual delicacy, and Perabo's performance is a geyser of emotion. Full Review

Desson Thomson
July 20, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Equally earnest and unconvincing.

Eric Harrison
July 20, 2001
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

Its treatment of the operatic highs and lows of young love and heartbreak feels right emotionally, even though the film tells its story rather awkwardly. Full Review

Jay Carr
July 20, 2001
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

Pool is an assured director, not afraid to explore the darker side of adolescence with integrity.

Carrie Rickey
July 19, 2001
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

Isn't it possible to be true to one's heart without self-destructing?

Roger Ebert
July 13, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Stirred within me memories of that season in adolescence when the heart leaps up in passionate idealism -- and inevitably mingles it with sexual desire. Full Review

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Lost and Delirious Trivia

  • What movie starred Mischa Barton, Piper Perabo, Jessica Paré, and Emily VanCamp?  Answer »
  • In which films does Piper Perabo play a lesbian?  Answer »
  • What movie is this from "A lesbian? You think I'm a fucking lesbian?" "You're a girl in love with a girl aren't you?" "No, I'm Paulie in love with Tori remember?"  Answer »
  • Who played the character Paulie in Lost and Delirious?  Answer »
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