The Secret of the Grain

IFC Films | Release Date: December 24, 2008

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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tonyGreenApr 12, 2012

Solid family drama that revolves around a family of first generation immigrants ( Algerian ?) and their struggles to build new lives in France. The French spoken has a fairly thick Arabic flavour and was hard to follow but subtitles are wellSolid family drama that revolves around a family of first generation immigrants ( Algerian ?) and their struggles to build new lives in France. The French spoken has a fairly thick Arabic flavour and was hard to follow but subtitles are well done. Engaging.… Expand

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NicoDaFlagburnaJan 24, 2011

Powerful matriarchs, a system of economic oppression and a culture told through the medium of food. Sleepy France is seen but never heard, instead the familial space centres the narrative and provides a framework for naturalism. The acting isPowerful matriarchs, a system of economic oppression and a culture told through the medium of food. Sleepy France is seen but never heard, instead the familial space centres the narrative and provides a framework for naturalism. The acting is spot-on, the camera innocently soaks up the atmosphere with a wondrous eye for detail and our perspective is that of an 'insider' like someone who is part of the cultural fabric or part of the family. A great learning experience and positively specific. 9/10 94/100… Expand

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evancusterMar 13, 2011

the movie starts out rather slowly and is a little confusing with all of the characters their relationships with each other. However, it gradually builds until it becomes very suspenseful and tense in the final 45 minutes, and then withthe movie starts out rather slowly and is a little confusing with all of the characters their relationships with each other. However, it gradually builds until it becomes very suspenseful and tense in the final 45 minutes, and then with typical French film, ends, leaving the viewer to wonder about how it finally ends. Very absorbing, although some scenes go on too long, and the movie as a whole is rather long, but makes up for it at the end.… Expand

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JLuis_001Aug 4, 2021

The Secret of the Grain is misleading, a very misleading film. And trust me I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing.
I said this because this film never seems to explicitly reveal what it's trying to do.
This is a humane story, and itThe Secret of the Grain is misleading, a very misleading film. And trust me I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing.
I said this because this film never seems to explicitly reveal what it's trying to do.

This is a humane story, and it would be misleadingly simplistic to say that it's just about family, because there's more to it.
Still, there's no big twist or cataclysmic event that causes some kind of melodramatic schism. It's a heartfelt film about something that could be considered nothing, and yet is powerful and emotional.

What Abdellatif Kechiche achieves to make you care is his genius design for this film.
However the ugly side of his abilities reside in how his ego and his decisive need to make films that come to feel excessive to the point of self-indulgence always tend to taint the actual good things that he does.

Nevertheless, watch this film.… Expand

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