Saturday 26 May 2007

Film review: The Son (2002) directed by Jean Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne

It's going to be hard not to diclose the plot. I think I'm too tempted, so I'll just leave it to the pros on the IMDB:

"Olivier - meticulous, careful, even-handed - teaches carpentry at a vocational school in Liège. He's asked to take on Francis, 16, a new student. He declines the request then begins to watch, even spy on, the new lad. Olivier knows something. Later that day, he's visited by Magali, his ex-wife, who tells him that she's remarrying and is pregnant. Olivier seems to follow instinctive responses: "why today?" he demands of Magali; he continues to follow Francis; he changes his mind about enrolling the youth. What's the history between the two? After that becomes clear, what is it Olivier will do? Is this precise and measured carpenter in control of himself?"

In my view, this movie pictures in the most touchingly understated way what the son (of God) is on about. Welcome into the soul of Belgium. Don't read the Amazon reviews, these idiots give the plot away.

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