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10

MossyCDLMar 25, 2012

Sometimes a movie comes around that has so much emotional power that you're taken aback by just how touching it is. I had high expectations going into the film, because I've heard about how good the Dardenne brothers are with their films, butSometimes a movie comes around that has so much emotional power that you're taken aback by just how touching it is. I had high expectations going into the film, because I've heard about how good the Dardenne brothers are with their films, but I must say that this movie will exceed your expectations. The story is simple itself, following the life of a young boy searching for trust and love after his loser father abandoned him. The Dardenne brothers can seemingly convey heartbreaking emotions instantly at certain points in the film, which are magnified by the use of the 2nd movement of Beethoven's 5th. At first glance, the boy is so recalcitrant that you want to strangle him, but then you realize that he is only acting out because he needs to feel loved by someone. This kid has a terrific acting career ahead of him. And then there is the magnificent Cecile de France, whose acting has never been better. Her character Samantha may be the most selfless, compassionate, honest, and loving I have ever seen. She practically radiates these qualities. If there were more people like Samantha in the world, the world would be a better place. Not one thing is this film is forced; everything is genuine and heartfelt. Highly recommended. Go see it before it disappears out of your nearest movie theater.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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9

MarcDoyleMar 18, 2012

And outstanding film which effectively sheds light on an abandoned child's (Cyril) yearning for the love and affection for his dead-beat father. Cecile de France (Samantha) is amazing as the the woman who agrees to host Cyril on his weekendsAnd outstanding film which effectively sheds light on an abandoned child's (Cyril) yearning for the love and affection for his dead-beat father. Cecile de France (Samantha) is amazing as the the woman who agrees to host Cyril on his weekends away from the state home which is raising the boy. Totally selfless person who immediately connects with Cyril during a chance meeting. I was struck by the scene during which Samantha and Cyril first track down the boy's father, and it becomes stunningly clear the latter has no interest in raising his child because he's simply an inconvenience. I've never seen something like this on film. Sure, there are thousands/millions of deadbeat dads, but you don't often see the kind of matter-of-fact reliance on the government - or just other people - to raise your child as was depicted in this film. It seems like the social safety net in certain countries has become so well-developed, so institutionalized, that parents see shoving their children off on the state as a viable, reasonable option - as if this were Plato's Republic - where the state raises all the children. Truly heartbreaking. Samantha's willingness to stick by Cyril despite his subsequent transgressions is heartwarming. And the "tag" at the end of the film is so well-done. This is a clear recommendation.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

nutterjrJun 4, 2012

A touching story that manages to capture the purity of love in more ways than one in just 87 mins: Firstly through the love and almost adoration of a child for his father even when his father's love towards him is not reciprocated. And thenA touching story that manages to capture the purity of love in more ways than one in just 87 mins: Firstly through the love and almost adoration of a child for his father even when his father's love towards him is not reciprocated. And then the random but true and deep love of a woman stranger to this boy which he is not in a position to appreciate as he keeps on seeking for his father's love... Subtle and poetic.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

BHBarryMar 31, 2012

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5

TVJerryMay 6, 2012

This film examines the plight of a boy whose father abandons him. From a group home to a foster parent to rejection to trouble, this is as bleak as you'd expect from the French. Also, the pacing is Gallic, which means glacially slow: everyThis film examines the plight of a boy whose father abandons him. From a group home to a foster parent to rejection to trouble, this is as bleak as you'd expect from the French. Also, the pacing is Gallic, which means glacially slow: every scene runs just a bit longer than necessary. It starts with promise, but the relentless misfortune makes it a dreary downer.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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10

TinaBApr 17, 2012

This is a movie that draws you in and holds your attention, because you care very much what happens to the main character. It's a movie about fate that ends on an optimistic note. Outstanding acting.

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3

GreatMartinApr 23, 2012

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. We never find out what happened to Cyril's mother but we do know his father doesn't want him and also sold his bike which Cyril gets back along with the foster mother he finds in a doctor's office. It only takes the first 20 minutes of this 88 minute film to find that out along with the fact that he lives in a foster home. Along with watching Cyril ride his bike at all kinds of speeds in all kinds of directions plus very intrusive bars of Beethoven we watch him become involved with all sorts of situations that in an American film would have sent "The Kid With A Bike" in a completely different direction than this French film goes.

When Samantha, played by Cecile de France, the woman who becomes Cyril's (Thomas Doret) weekend foster mom, is asked by her boyfriend to choose between him and Cyril she chooses the latter. Cyril is befriended by Wes (Egon de Mateo) a drug dealer and thief who comes from the same foster home who seems to be leading Cyril in an additional direction besides becoming a robber.

Will Samantha make everything right? Will she love, hold on to, Cyril enough to turn him away from he life Wes seems to be taking him? Will Cyril get his father back? Will get on his bike and go in the right direction? That last question isn't as crazy as it sounds because a lot is not explained in this film including who Cyril is and what he wants or needs except his father and bike.

Cecile de France gives a warm performance who slowly brings the boy into a circle of love while Thomas Doret goes through the film mainly looking angry. Jeremie Renier has the small but tough role of a man who feels he has no choice but to give his son up. Egon de Mateo is scary as the drug dealer who leads Cyril astray and into a tough spot.

The co-directors, and co-writers, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne didn't seem, to me, to know what to do except give Doret more reasons not to be loved and, yet, let him be loved more and more while whenever they didn't know what to do they put him on a bike and had him ride around. I just finished reading the New York Times review which brings a whole religious aspect to it. I very seldom ever read reviews before I see a film and after reading these reviews I wonder if I saw the same film, did all the themes go over my head or did I just not get it?… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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5

Parera_Starr11Jun 27, 2012

The first 30 minutes of this film are quite impressive an falsely make you believe that is going to become something its not. The lackluster performance from Thomas Doret who plays the lead Cyril, uneven script and poor direction ruin thisThe first 30 minutes of this film are quite impressive an falsely make you believe that is going to become something its not. The lackluster performance from Thomas Doret who plays the lead Cyril, uneven script and poor direction ruin this film. Instead of delving into some of the key sub-plots we instead get to see Thomas Doret "Cyril" ride around on a bike and do nothing but look angry for the entire film. Cécile de France performance as Samantha the kind hearted women who forever changes Cyril's life is the best thing about this disappointing movie.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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7

Andys_ReviewsSep 1, 2013

I found this a bit of a contradictory film; on one had there are some really great performances, on the other; I found it hard to see the motivation behind some of the actions taking place on the screen. Maybe I’m not as good at readingI found this a bit of a contradictory film; on one had there are some really great performances, on the other; I found it hard to see the motivation behind some of the actions taking place on the screen. Maybe I’m not as good at reading characters as I thought; but then again, it’s a very long time since I was a twelve(ish) year old boy. As to the performances, well, I thought both Thomas Doret and Cécile De France were truly excellent. I can’t say we really got to see the gritty realism of the streets of Belgium because it wasn’t all that gritty, or maybe that’s as gritty as Belgium gets. It was, however, well made but didn’t do anything particularly extraordinary. Worth a look? Definitely, but I don’t think I’ll be giving it a repeat viewing anytime soon.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 7.1/10.… Expand