MovieChat Forums > L'enfant (2005) Discussion > One very weak effort.

One very weak effort.

posted 17 years ago by fr-au
39 replies | jump to latest

I just can't believe this movie went on to win Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film festival in 2005. It has to be among the weakest film I have seen in the last two years or so. And generally this is my kinf of film and I love french cinema. But here, I find that the story was weak and uninvolving and so were the actors. (Not awful but not that great). The direction didn't impressed me either.

In a year where films like 2046 were presented at the festival, I don't see how this quite mediocre movie could have won the Palme d'or. I think that the Cannes film festival has lost credibility over the last few years. Very disappointing.

Anyways, just my opinion.

[–] The_Coma-Man 16 years ago

I must fullheartedly agree. This is one of the weakest cinematic efforts I have seen to win in Cannes!! The film is shallow, one-dimensional and unrevolving, with an unlikeable, egomanic and dull protagonist.

The acting was good, but apart of that, I saw everything comming after 10 minutes before it happenned, and the film really did not touch me a single second.
--
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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Boing_Boing 15 years ago

I might be completely wrong, but I think this is a film where character development isn't thrown at you. The development is so subtle, that you have to look for it-but I'm certain it's there. As for the "farting episode," again, more development. I took from it that Bruno is at such a low point that he looks for humor and entertainment anywhere (such as the scene where he waves around the metal stick in the water.).

And for the ending...in the very last scene, I think if you closely read the character's expressions and even pay attention to the few lines of dialogue preceding, you can tell that the characters have changed. I thought the last scene was as complete an ending as I could ever need.

[–] maz89 14 years ago

As for the "farting episode," again, more development. I took from it that Bruno is at such a low point that he looks for humor and entertainment anywhere (such as the scene where he waves around the metal stick in the water.).

Exactly, at several points throughout the movie, you see that Bruno is, to a certain extent, naive and childish - jumping in the mud and then making a mud footprint on the wall, metal stick in the water, running around with his girlfriend, and finally the 'farting' part - all this was used to show what kind of person Bruno is. It made the character more real and it helped us understand how he could have thought that selling the baby was an appropriate idea ("We can make another one" or something along those lines), that's just who he is. Ofcourse he realises his mistake when the girl doesn't react the way he expected her to, but it's too late, he now has to face the consequences. The 'subtle' character development only makes the movie more engrossing, does it not?

Seriously, great movie. Don't know what the fuss is about.

Baby, you are gonna miss that plane.

[–] ryankent1984 15 years ago

Has anyone noticed the fourth post down by 'jovent' has copied parts of the L'Enfant review that appeared in the Village Voice word for word?

I thought that post seemed a bit too well-written for an imdb reply.

[–] heynow123 14 years ago

I thought it was good (grade: B).

Different strokes for different folks though.

[–] conedust 14 years ago

I've just watched the film, and think it's one of the best -- the most absorbing, beautiful and emotionally powerful -- films I've seen recently. I'm not sure I can say I "enjoyed" it an awful lot, but I was deeply engrossed and ultimately moved by it.

It's minimal in every respect (save the generous attention it lavishes upon its childish anti-hero), and I can see how that almost aggressive simplicity might be off-putting. Perhaps the film's moral and emotional climax strikes some as overly sentimental, especially given the unflinching bleakness of previous events. But I thought it all worked beautifully. While I never liked Bruno, the film held me in terrible suspense, waiting to see where his (generally very poor) decisions would lead next.

I believed in the characters and situation and cared for them, and the film kept faith with my investment of belief. It never took the easy way out, but nor did it settle for cheap nihilism, and that's a very tough line to walk.

You must have been so afraid, Cassie... Then you saw a cop.

[–] ilpohirvonen 12 years ago

It's the movement, not the story. One who tries to find errors from the story or benefits will be disappointed. Let the movement capture you and you'll be in an aesthetic bliss.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 12 years ago

The emotions and behaviour of the characters were authentic and it's great to see the underclass in society represented on screen in a way that is respectful as well as true.

I'm a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl

[–] matahari20-1 11 years ago

I only got to see the last 40 minutes or so and it really engaged me. I thought the acting was very raw and from the gut. I have seen this 'couple' so many times on the streets of the poorer parts of my city. The end was great....left open every possibility with barely a word spoken, but you know what's going on for them. Now that is great acting, imo.

[–] paynejeremy 11 years ago

Saw it last night. It's a great film. Perhaps Palme d'Or worthy though there were stronger contenders. I agree 2046 was one of them. Even more so was The Death of Mr Lazarescu. Unfortunately I can't compare these to the nominees for best foreign Oscar, none of which I've seen. 2046 may have been eligible for 2004 but wasn't nominated then either. It's better than Downfall and As It Is In Heaven which are the nominees I've seen but not as good as Hidden.

L'Enfant is uncompromising in its realism and Jeremie Renier plays the title character (he's the real child) with amazing sensitivity. I haven't seen many Belgian productions but I doubt there are many as good as this one.

[–] 11 years ago

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