In late-19th-century France, Marie (Ariana Rivoire), an artisan's daughter born without the ability to see or hear, is sent to a convent devoted to the education of deaf children. Never able to express herself or communicate with others in any productive way, she is volatile bordering on dangerous and only responds to the most basic sensory input. Ailing, but highly committed Sister Marguerite (Isabelle Carré) agrees to try to teach her to sign and become part of society.

Though based on a true story, there is no denying Marie's Story bears a significant resemblance to the oft-dramatized story of Helen Keller, a deaf and blind child who became a left-wing activist and lecturer as an adult, and her teacher, Anne Sullivan. It could also be compared to another fact-derived French film: The Wild Child, in which legendary New Wave director François Truffaut cast himself as an physician treating an undomesticated adolescent who grew up alone in the forest. But even if Marie's Story is "unoriginal," it more than distinguishes itself with strong acting (Rivoire is revelatory and truly gives herself over to the role in body and soul), as well as ravishing cinematography of the French countryside and a genuine respect for the arduous and profound process of educating the disabled. And, to be honest, it is hard not to be drawn into and moved by this type of story, at least in my opinion.

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