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| Movie Review: L'Enfant (The Child) Alternate Title: The Lost Boys
Story: The very talented director/writer
team the Dardenne Brothers (Jean-Pierre and
Luc) have created another non-judgmental morality tale about
marginalized members of Belgium society. This film won last year's Palme
d'Or at Cannes. A teenage girl returns to her flat with her newborn
son to find her thieving boyfriend has sublet their place for two nights
for some quick cash.This couple without an apparent future live hand
to mouth. His feral livelihood consists of stealing and fencing goods.
He insists that real work is for suckers. While she is on a long line for government subsidies
he decides to sell the baby for cash to an underground adoption ring.
She goes ballistic upon learning of his deed and the remainder of the
film is about his getting the baby back and perhaps finding forgiveness
and ultimately redemption. This dark film is emotionally engaging and you
find yourself both repulsed and absorbed by this character's behavior.
Just who is the infant in this film? What does it take for a child to
finally turn into an adult? How do people become this way? What responsibility
does society have for a character like this? These are questions that
flowed through my head while watching this film. This is not a movie for everyone - that's for
sure. Acting: Perfect performances by young Jeremie Renier
and Deborah Francois.
Predilection: I like to see award winning foreign
films.
Critters: None. They can barely feed themselves,
no less a critter.
Food: Bread and some gruel.
Soundtrack: Not a note of music to be heard. Opening Titles: None
Visual Art: It is a very drab industrial town indeed. There
is no art, good or bad to be seen anywhere.
Theater Audience: More crowded than I would have thought.
Sappy Factor: Not a drip of sap.
Squirm Scale: I was always worried about the baby.
Drift Factor: No time to drift.
Predictability Level: I had no idea where this film
was headed.
Tissue Usage: I admit to getting teary eyed at the
end
Oscar Worthy: Not Oscar worthy but Palme d'Or worthy
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine. Check
out the other films by the Dardenne Bothers including The Promise, Rosetta
and The Son.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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