Fils (le)

English title: The Son

Genre: psychological drama

With: Olivier Gourmet (Olivier), Isabella Soupart (his ex-wife Magali), Morgan Marinne (Francis), Jimmy Deloof (Dany) and Anne Gérard (Dany’s mother).

Directors: Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne

Release: 2002

Studio: NewYorker Films

Rating: - 

MBiS score: 8.2/10

Too Young To Know Better. Too Old To Forget.

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Story-line: a quiet man who teaches woodworking to juvenile delinquents has trouble dealing with a new student.   

Pluses: a sober treatment well-suited to the subject matter (no music… not even during the opening credits!), a meticulous and sensible screenplay, tight editing and camera work (notice how Olivier is often filmed from behind… feel all that stiffness in his neck), a masterful buildup of tension.

Minuses: none whatsoever.

Comments: over the years, the Dardenne brothers have become Cannes Festival favourites for one simple reason: they make excellent movies. LE FILS, a compelling drama set in Belgium, showcases yet again their talent and storytelling prowess. This low-budget, high-value production is well worth your time. See it!  

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