Le gamin au vélo (The Kid with a Bike)

NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE TO STREAM ON NETFLIX. NOW AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX DVD. The Kid with a Bike is an incredible nugget of melancholy, directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. 

 Poor 11- year- old Cyril (Thomas Doret) goes on an adventure in this film, but doesn't seek what the typical young male protagonist seeks. He is shown such a frank lack of compassion from his only known family, the audience will most likely shift uncomfortably in their seats.

With little music aside from a subdued and natural score during the entire 87 minute piece, the viewer is forced into facing reality, and all of the desperation and unease that goes along with it.  

By a long shot (no pun intended), the most poetic force on screen has to be Cecile de France's graceful and elegant performance as Samantha, the woman who almost unintentionally becomes the caretaker of young Cyril. In the film, she undoubtedly puts up the valiant fight that is getting through to a damaged child coming from a broken home. 

Enjoy this quick and poignant work from Belgium, if adopting isn't within your means at the moment.

Nicole Eicholtz

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