User Reviews

Nothing is more frustration when the social service system and government is being stubborn and frustrating to communicate with. The narrative about the troubling aspects of the foster care system have been explored before and while filmmaker Delphine Deloget doesn't really offer anything new to the setting, the direction, atmosphere, and strong performances maintain a tense and engaging conflicting drama to observe.

Virginie Efira has continued to demonstrate she is one of the best French actresses working today and her performance was very powerful and emotional. Including the other cast members as well. Accompanied with solid camerawork, dialogues, and tone choices explored. The narrative is predictable as there were some choices that were a little frustrating (whether it was intentional, the choices felt a bit forced and questionable) and certain pacing issues half-way. The engagement and frustration helps to keep the movie going forward.

This first narrative feature from veteran documentarian Delphine Deloget fires on all 8 cylinders. Clearly the voice and hand of a mature storyteller.

The highest compliment I can pay the film is that while I enjoyed seeing it in competition at Cannes, I enjoyed it even more viewing it a second time at the NYC premiere.

We're sure to see more of this French writer/director's socially conscious narrative work in the future.

Virginie Efira's performance here combines power and nuance and even draws a bit from her beginnings in comedy. The quiet whispers exchanged between her and her youngest son, provide authentic intimate moments rarely seen on screen.

Interestingly, the director discussed her choice to not include non-diagetic music in the soundtrack leaving the actors words to convey the emotion, clearly informed by her documentary aesthetic.