It is a little bit slow at the beginning but I could see how important that was for me a- to understand the story b- to get deeper and deeper in the plot. This film started to grow on me, little by little, and at the end I was totally under its powerful spell... I recommend you to see this film with concentration because I thought it is a fine grained story with a lot of emotion. It is like a puzzle where all the pieces come in place at the end. Marie is so touching and Joseph too. As for the mother, I coulnd't understand a word she said but just by looking at her I could feel every word coming out of her mouth! La Vallee des larmes is a terrific film!