The Kid with a Bike (2011)
Mature themes and infrequent coarse language
| Directors: | Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne |
| Actors: | Cecile De France, Thomas Doret, Jeremie Renier, Fabrizio Rongione, Egon Di Mateo |
From two-time Palme d'Or winning duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne comes The Kid with a Bike, a realistic and touching human drama about growing up. After being abandoned by his father, 11 year-old Cyril has gone to live in state care. One day, in the hope of finding his wayward father, Cyril escapes, seeking refuge from the school authorities in a doctor's surgery, where he meets the kind and loving Samantha. Samantha agrees to Cyril spending the weekends at her place, and in spite of the boy's self-destructive rage, the two lonely souls slowly start to develop a special bond. Winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 2011, The Kid with a Bike is a touching realist dramas from the undisputed masters of the genre. FRENCH LANGUAGE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
| Status: | HighDemand |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 86mins |
| Origin: | FRANCE |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
by Simon Miraudo, 28/07/2011 9:36:00 AM
It’s easy to watch a movie in which very little ostensibly happens, and to overlook the Earth-shattering revelations and heartbreaking truths hidden under the surface. The Dardenne brothers’ The Kid with a Bike is one such movie. The film is less than 90 minutes long, and divided somewhat into three separate acts (signified by short, haunting stings of music). Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have a way of creeping up on you; imparting some truly inspired universal wisdom without ever being preachy, and without even having to resort to melodrama or extreme conflict. Thomas Doret gives an inspired performance as 11-year-old Cyril, less of a boy than an energetic pup (he’s later nicknamed ‘Pitbull’); he moves as quickly, furiously and with the tenacity of an unchained dog. As the film begins, h...
It’s easy to watch a movie in which very little ostensibly happens, and to overlook the Earth-shattering revelations and heartbreaking truths hidden under the surface. The Dardenne brothers’ The Kid with a Bike is one such movie. The film is less than 90 minutes long, and divided somewhat into three separate acts (signified by short, haunting stings of music). Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have a way of creeping up on you; imparting some truly inspired universal wisdom without ever being preachy, and without even having to resort to melodrama or extreme conflict.
Thomas Doret gives an inspired performance as 11-year-old Cyril, less of a boy than an energetic pup (he’s later nicknamed ‘Pitbull’); he moves as quickly, furiously and with the tenacity of an unchained dog. As the film begins, he’s looking for his father, who has gone broke, dumped Cyril in a boarding house and skipped town. When Cyril finally finds and confronts him, he does it not with anger, but with the eagerness to reunite and undying loyalty that a canine might feel to even the cruelest owner. The father tells him he wants nothing to do with the boy, and as heartbreaking as it is for Cyril, there is something even more heartbreaking about a terrified man who feels he has no choice but to cut ties with his son.
Later in the film, Cyril turns to crime, and although he’s penitent, one of his victims cannot accept the apology (leading to a nearly tragic finale). Again, the sad character here is the unforgiving victim. Cecile de France stars as Samantha, a kindly hairdresser who accidentally finds herself involved in Cyril’s life, and offers him a home out of the goodness of her own heart. Her patience, although tested, seemingly knows no bounds; she is hurt repeatedly by Cyril, but she never turns him away.
The Kid with a Bike is a powerful film about compassion and forgiveness, and the tragedy of not having the capability for either. Samantha, unlike the other characters, is not afraid of the pain that comes with having a relationship, and being human. That’s because she knows the benefits too. The life she and Cyril carve for themselves is occasionally troubled, but it’s also full of love. That’s more than can be said for the lonely father, who has to live with the knowledge that he turned his only son away.
4.5/5
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Member Reviews (20)
20 Member
Reviews
T
says
Very deep ideas run through this movie and it is interesting to think about the motives and feelings of the characters and why they behave and react in certain ways. Overall though it's not a great entertaining movie where I could just be entertained.
Senorita K
says
A heart breaking movie of a child being rejected by his father and the love the child finds from a compassionate woman .
Heartbreaking because of the reality of the situation in these times. A beautiful movie.
mjr
says
This movie is subtitled, and although the story line was ok. It made it difficult to watch.
De
says
Made me cringe a bit to be honest. Typical French film. Tells a good story with no frills then just ends!
Terry
says
Terrible movie. Slow plot and boring.
kimbo
says
Cyril will do anything to find his dad, running away from his state-run orphanage, lie, fight, anything, despite mounting evidence that his father wants nothing to do with him. He meets Samantha, a hairdresser who agrees to take him in on weekends while he searches for his dad.
The directors do a good job of showing Cyril's disintegration as he realizes his dad wants no part of him, but this all happens within the first half of the film. I found the latter half where Cyril is seduced into a local gang and then commits a crime to be less engaging, and the ending, though hopeful, seems a bit off. Also, I wish the film had spent more time on why Samantha wants so badly to help Cyril.
Overall pretty good
Jenny
says
Really good movie - ending was a bit up in the air
Art S.
says
Choosing to watch a Dardenne Brothers film is about agreeing to watch characters engage in risky behaviors in an environment full of dangers. But theirs is not the terrain of the action movie. Instead, we see naive kids in real life (often impoverished) settings, faced with heart-rending scenarios. Here, pre-teen Cyril is abandoned by his dad, but can't accept that reality. Fortunately, Samantha falls into the role of foster mother -- but Cyril's decisions may undermine their chances for a successful relationship. Edge of your seat, nail-biting stuff.
Tony Land
says
Good story subject, well acted, abrupt end, left you up in the air a bit. I enjoyed it, but it won't appeal to everyone.
tere
says
good movie
says
Not at all bad
says
Very slow moving plot which ends up nothing in particular. A disappointing choice.
says
Good story but in french with english subtitles
says
This was ok but not living up to the standard of storyline I would have expected.....it was an alright sunday arvo watch without too much substance..very superficial plot and left too many questions as to the whys and whys..
helenh
says
Good movie
Alison
says
A very touching story. No wonder we have such an increase in children with things like ADD etc. A boy who longed for the love of his father but the love was not returned and found himself undoing. There are some gaps in the story line and how things come to be the way they are and it loses some continuity, but it is a moving story and one with such bravery and kindness on behalf of the foster carer. And to think children then grow up to be dysfunctional adults! No wonder our society is in such a mess.
CL-D
says
Brings patently home to parents and carers the importance of love and how preciously children regard it even though it sometimes doesn't seem reciprocated, however it is simmerimg underneath. This is what this movie is about, the learning curve of Cyril's love and those that do and don't love him. It's a universal story and brilliantly crafted. A short film, but just long enough. Barely any soundtrack barring excerts from Beethovens beautiful "Emperor Concerto". A superbly crafted gem from the Dardenne Brothers. 4.5
gerd
says
The kid certainly does a lot of riding his bike - and much else. But is he psychologically disturbed - which would be understandable - or just a rotten kid? Or perhaps a good kid at heart? The movie toys with these possibilities but doesn't provide any answers. Nor does it try to answer why the selfless woman does what she does to help. It's all part of the charm and realism of this story, set in a nondescript part of Belgian suburbia.
Phil
says
Didn't find the fact a stranger just decides to take the child under her wing, very realistic especially when the child is the source of such troubles. Overall good acting but not the best movie the two directors have made. Hard to feel for any of the characters. By the way, it is a French language film, made in Belgium not in France. Depressing!
Cindy
says
A compelling, low-key and very realistic film that infuses a tale of quiet despair with subtle moments of humanity and hope. Great performances and some masterfully restrained direction from the Dardennes.