Film Reviews

L'Enfant

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Deborah Francois
• Details: France, Belgium, 100mins, 15s.

Bruno (Renier) is a petty thief who lives off his girlfriend's benefits and the odd jobs he pulls with his gang. When Sonia gives birth to their first child Jimmy, Bruno, barely out of his teens, hatches a plan that could solve all their financial woes - by selling the baby to the highest bidder. But when Sonia learns of this, she falls into shock and needs to be hospitalized despite Bruno's protests that they "could have another one". While Sonia recuperates in hospital, Bruno realises his mistake and sets about getting the baby back and redeem himself in his loved ones eyes.
The Dardenne's continue with their parent/child battle theme that they fully realised with 2002's The Son. L'Enfant, winner of The Palme d'or in Cannes, is many ways a typical Dardenne themed film - gritty realism - but they had yet to write a character so depraved and ugly until they invented young Bruno; a character that maybe doesn't deserve redemption. With such an unlikeable protagonist pushing the film, it was left to the sweet Sonia - played by first timer Francois - to give the film heart, delivering a performance of certain maturity not akin to a debut. The Dardenne's are even more minimalist than usual; caring not for cool shots and camerawork, the directors leave the action to the actors and without using a soundtrack to convey emotions, the mood is even bleaker than their previous outings.

Review by Gavin Burke