Laughter (2020)
A Quebec civil war survivor rebuilds her life through grief, love, and an unlikely friendship in this moving Canadian drama-comedy.
Laughter - Movie Information
Laughter - Plot
As a civil war shakes the Quebec province of Canada, Valerie is the sole survivor of a mass execution where her boyfriend is killed. Years later, she's in a close relationship with her new partner, Gabriel. At the Long Term Care Center where she works as an orderly, she befriends Jeanne, an erudite and funny woman, dealing with an important physical handicap. Mixing realism and worrying strangeness, The Laugh presents a humane exploration of the survivor's syndrome, the grieving process, the distance of time, the power of love, and the joy of being alive.
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Laughter - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Martin Laroche
Main Cast
- Léane Labrèche-Dor
- Micheline Lanctôt
- Alexandre Landry
- Sylvie Drapeau
- Normand Daoust
- Sophie Clément
- Jean-Sébastien Courchesne
- Catherine Proulx-Lemay
- Évelyne Rompré
- Christine Beaulieu
Writers
- Martin Laroche
Producers
- Fanny-Laure Malo
Laughter - FAQs
What is Laughter about?
Laughter follows Valérie, the sole survivor of a mass execution during a Quebec civil war, as she rebuilds her life years later. Working as an orderly at a long-term care center, she forms a touching bond with Jeanne, a witty and erudite resident, while navigating grief, love, and the quiet resilience of survival.
Is Laughter based on a true story?
Laughter is not based on a specific true story. Writer-director Martin Laroche crafted an original fictional narrative set against a hypothetical Quebec civil war, using that backdrop to explore deeply human themes like survivor's syndrome, grief, and the healing power of connection and humor.
Where can you watch Laughter online?
You can check current streaming and rental options for Laughter on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Options may vary depending on your location, so it's worth checking regularly as availability can change.
Who plays Valérie and Jeanne in Laughter?
Valérie is played by Léane Labrèche-Dor, a celebrated Québécois actress known for her warmth and naturalism. Jeanne, the sharp and funny long-term care resident who befriends her, is brought to life by Micheline Lanctôt, a veteran of Quebec cinema with a remarkable career spanning decades.
What themes does Laughter explore?
Laughter digs into survivor's syndrome, grief, and the slow passage of time with honesty and warmth. It also celebrates the power of unexpected friendship, the resilience of love, and the simple joy of being alive — all wrapped in a tone that blends realism with an unsettling, dreamlike strangeness.
Who directed and wrote Laughter?
Laughter was both written and directed by Martin Laroche, a Quebec filmmaker. His dual role as writer-director gives the film a unified creative vision, allowing its blend of social realism and surreal undertones to feel cohesive and deeply personal throughout.
How long is the film Laughter?
Laughter runs for 2 hours and 4 minutes. It's a substantial runtime that gives the story room to breathe — allowing the relationship between Valérie and Jeanne to develop gradually and the film's emotional and thematic layers to unfold at a measured, deliberate pace.
What are some films similar to Laughter?
If Laughter resonates with you, you might enjoy Macadam Stories (2015), Bon Voyage (2003), or Take a Chance on Me (2023) — films that similarly blend drama with warmth and human connection. CQ (2001) and Uranus (1990) also share that mix of social realism and tonal complexity.
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