WITH A FRIEND LIKE HARRY is a silently terrifying psychological thriller that builds from a sedate family story into a suspenseful horror scenario with the use of smart, spine-tingling dialogue and simple acts of manipulation. There is almost no violence in the film, and the shock value is... [More]

WITH A FRIEND LIKE HARRY is a silently terrifying psychological thriller that builds from a sedate family story into a suspenseful horror scenario with the use of smart, spine-tingling dialogue and simple acts of manipulation. There is almost no violence in the film, and the shock value is minimal. Instead, the film relies on the piercing reality of the story it tells, on the intuition of its viewers, and on good old scared-of-the-dark fear. In the frenzied heat of midsummer, a family--Michel (Laurent Lucas) and Claire (Mathilde Seigner) and their three small daughters--are taking their summer vacation. Michel teaches French and Japanese in Paris, while Claire is overworked with the responsibility of raising the three little girls. Much in need of a some relaxing time off, the family retreats to the secluded stone country house they bought a few years back. Though they have been working hard to restore the place, it has a few minor hazards that need fixing--such the deep, empty well hidden in the back yard. However, before the family even arrives at the house, they encounter Harry Ballestero (Sergi Lopez), an acquaintance of Michel's, at a rest stop off of the auto route. Harry and Michel were both at the same school, in Berthollet, in 1979. Though Michel doesn't quite remember Harry, Harry remembers Michel with intense clarity. Harry can recite from memory the poetry Michel wrote for the school journal, and treats Michel like a brother. So begins the family's odd relationship with the smilingly intense Harry and his flaky girlfriend, Plum (Sophie Guillemin), who impose themselves on the family with suffocating congeniality. [Less]