Le Fils (2002)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 103 minuten
Alternative title: The Son
Country:
Belgium / France
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne
Stars: Olivier Gourmet, Morgan Marinne and Isabella Soupart
IMDb score:
7,5 (10.532)
Releasedate: 23 May 2002
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Le Fils plot
Olivier works as a carpenter instructor in an institution for behaviorally disturbed young people. When 16-year-old Francis arrives in the center, Olivier is completely lost. Francis doesn't know, but he was once involved in a tragic event in Olivier's life. Olivier also informs his ex-wife Magali, she is shocked when she hears the news and panics. Olivier becomes obsessed with the boy and begins to stalk him. He tries in vain to maintain professional distance.
Actors and actresses
Olivier
Francis
Magali
Omar
Apprenti Soudeur 1
La Mère de Dany
Reviews & comments
Fisico
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- 10039 messages
- 5398 votes
A typical Dardenne Brothers film that often evoke a rather loaded theme under the guise of rock-solid directing. I've never been disappointed by a film by the Dardenne brothers, but I've never been really blown away. Solid without a doubt, also this Le fils.
Fascinating and daring premise and a subject that makes you think about the reintegration of (young) criminals into society. You just have to do it as a father to guide a young person who was responsible for the death of your child and turned your whole life upside down (divorce etc). As far as I am concerned, it is also not very realistic to maintain such contacts between perpetrator and victim today without follow-up from the judiciary or the knowledge of both parties.
An excellent Olivier Gourmet, as always. Again a film that relies on silences and the thoughts of the characters. These silences gave an extra power to the film and gave an oppressive atmosphere between the characters. You expect an explosion of anger at at some point, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Again, a penetrating film was made with sobriety. Less is more! Throughout the film you are left with a suspense of what is going on. The climax is shocking, but is handled serenely.
Translated from Dutch · View original
T.O.
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- 2427 messages
- 2805 votes
"Hyper-realistic", that's how the introductory commentary on Canvas called this film. But the caricatural Walloon image of ugly, never smiling people and a dilapidated environment is secretly a bit over the top.
In addition, I agree with a number of previous comments about the playing time: even in this style it is not necessary to remain meaningless for so long. Yet the direction brings something extra and the acting is certainly strong.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
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- 2301 messages
- 2092 votes
Partly social, but also a psychological drama that I really liked. Where in predecessor Rosetta I felt flattened by a lame scenario, I find here really (poignant) depth, and back on the level of La Promesse. The interaction between Olivier Gourmet and Morgan Marinne is masterful, especially in the silent scenes. Silent communication that comes across completely, as if you are standing there and participating yourself. However, like some users here, I did suffer from the jerky camera that stuck to Oliver Gourmet's skin in the beginning, to the extent that you could almost smell his sweat, it also almost made me nauseous. Luckily the story was strong enough to put me on this. Shouldn't have taken a lot of effort to film this; don't pay attention to the framing/photography and furthermore the viewer becomes a connoisseur of the back of Olivier Gourmet's head.
The ending was too abrupt and too open for me at first, but secondly it didn't seem inappropriate and even a positive note for the future relationship of the characters of Gourmet and Marinne.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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