Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageMa Vie en Rose (1997)
Director: Alain Berliner
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Seven-year-old Ludovic's determined to grow up a girl, which is hard on his family, who face the scorn of locals made uneasy by a sudden outbreak of non-conformism. This Belgian first feature evolves into a domestic battle of wills. Will Ludo deny his feelings and put the household back on an even keel, or can the grown-ups find the courage to accept their child, even if it makes them the black sheep of the community? Child actor Georges Du Fresne's projection of innocence and absolute certainty drains away any suspicion that the film-makers might be using him to tell a story that's fundamentally about adult sexual confusions. It isn't. It's about a child's pre-sexual intimations of gender identity, as influenced by his favourite TV show, a pink extravaganza starring a sort of live-action Gallic Barbie doll. Wry comedy is certainly not precluded, while Laroque and the excellent Ecoffey make the parents' emotional confusion tell, but it's the film's combination of compassion and whimsical charm that makes it utterly disarming.Author: TJ
User reviews of this film
-
- Eli K. said...
- Posted on Feb 05 2009 18:13 I saw the film a long time ago in France and remember it was about love and being true to one's feelings. The grandmother was wonderful. I hope a lot of heteros will go and watch it.
- Report as inappropriate
Cast & crew
Director: Alain Berliner
Producer: Carole Scotta
Cast: Georges Du Fresne, Michèle Laroque, Jean-Philippe Ecoffey, Hélène Vincent, Daniel Hanssens, Laurence Bibot full cast
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Has David Cronenberg turned tame?
Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?
The 10 worst date movies
Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made
Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films
Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas
10 unlikely badboy biopics
Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects
Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'
The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing
Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day
Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing
What do you think?
Post your review now