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Movies / On DVD / L'Enfant
L'Enfant

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L'Enfant (2006)

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Reviews Counted: 103

Fresh: 88

Rotten:15

Average Rating: 7.5/10

Consensus: The Dardennes continue to excel at presenting works of rigorous naturalism, with detached observations of authentic characters that nevertheless resonate with complex moral issues.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for brief language.

Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:Mar 24, 2006 Limited

Box Office: $420,558

Synopsis: Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne present another uncompromising, emotionally devastating depiction of human struggle with THE CHILD. Winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival (their... Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne present another uncompromising, emotionally devastating depiction of human struggle with THE CHILD. Winner of the Palme d'Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival (their second, after 1999's ROSETTA), the film opens just as 20-year-old Bruno (Jeremie Renier) and his 18-year-old girlfriend Sonia (Deborah Francois) have welcomed their first child into the world. A small-time crook with no big-time leads, Bruno decides to sneak away with his son, Jimmy, and sell him for a hefty chunk of money. But when he tries to justify his actions to Sonia, assuring her that they'll have another baby, she collapses in shock. While she recuperates in the hospital, Bruno realizes that he's made a horrendous mistake, and embarks on an impassioned quest to get his son back and redeem himself to Sonia. As in their other fictional feature films, the Dardennes use handheld cinematography, realistic acting, and a music-free soundtrack to create a poetically heightened sense of reality. The result is a supremely humane work of art. Featuring another powerful performance from frequent Dardennes collaborator Renier, THE CHILD also boasts an unforgettable performance from newcomer François, who fills the screen with an honesty rarely seen. [More]

Starring: Jérémie Rénier, Deborah Francois, Fabrizio Rongione, Olivier Gourmet

Starring: Jérémie Rénier, Deborah Francois, Fabrizio Rongione, Olivier Gourmet

Director: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne

Director: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Producer: Denis Freyd
Screenwriter: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

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Release:

Aug 15, 2006

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for L'Enfant

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Peter Keough
Boston Phoenix

Although "L'Enfant" won the coveted Palme d' Or at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, it is a grossly disappointing movie.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
04/15/09
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
11/01/07
David Ansen
Newsweek
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

the Dardennes have managed to concoct an engaging and often suspenseful drama without ever calling upon fancy camerawork, sensational performances, or even so much as a musical score.

Full Review Source: Eye for Film | comment Comment
07/03/07
Anton Bitel
Eye for Film

It doesn't need a lot of dialogue. It is able to deliver its message in almost purely cinematic terms.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
01/17/07
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

A film about roads and cell phones, decaying buildings and people who ought to be budding, indifference masked by buffoonery, the belief that money just floats around.

Full Review Source: Nation | comment Comment
11/11/06
Stuart Klawans
Nation
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
10/07/06
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An exploration of the existence of morality -- where does it come from, especially in a world as cold as what's presented here?

Full Review Source: Window to the Movies | comment Comment
09/06/06
Jeffrey Chen
Window to the Movies

Un baldazo de realidad que confirma a los hermanos Dardenne como dos sensibles observadores de personajes marginales.

Full Review Source: Uruguay Total | comment Comment
08/30/06
Enrique Buchichio
Uruguay Total

It's a thin story and the film is unremarkable in cinematic terms, except for the tension that the Dardennes manage to maintain, thanks to top performances from Jérémie Renier and Déborah François

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
08/19/06
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

"L'Enfant" follows in their fierce and unsparing tradition, a tale of a destitute young couple under extraordinary pressure from without and within.

Full Review Source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) | comment Comment
06/30/06
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)

Absolutely terrific.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

In the end, the film itself may be of less consequence than the emotions it stirs up in the viewer. Can we forgive the unforgivable? Should we?

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
06/16/06
Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star

A genuine tale of redemption.

Full Review Source: Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA) | comment Comment
06/09/06
John Wirt
Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)

Its story appears simple, but L'Enfant offers subtle insights into Bruno's behavior as it progresses.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
06/02/06
Carla Meyer
Sacramento Bee

A simple moral fable told with compassion and nerve.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
06/02/06
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

The journey and character evolution of Bruno is subtle and believable, thanks to Renier's performance.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
06/02/06
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

[The Dardennes] break down whatever barriers a more formal film might have offered the audience for protection.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment Comment
06/02/06
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

many will exit humming Peggy Lee's 'Is That All There Is?'

Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | comment Comment
05/29/06
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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