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The Right of The Weakest (2006)

Director: Lucas Belvaux

Time Out rating

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Movie review

From Time Out London

The versatile writer-director of ‘Trilogy’ offers a less cerebral take on the crime thriller with this winning ‘socially aware’ caper comedy. As a son of Belgian industrial town Namur, Lucas Belvaux brings obvious autobiographically based affinities to his pointedly unfashionable setting, de-skilled, de-steeled Liège, but manages nevertheless to steer a safe line between affection and affectation as he follows the organisation and execution of an ill-advised robbery by a group of bar-room pals. Although structurally conventional – who decommissioned experimental populism? – the film is aurally and visually more audacious, incorporating great camerawork and an interesting score by Riccardo Del Fra. It’s strongest suit, however, is performance: a cast boasting varying levels of previous professional experience – from comedian and activist Claude Semal (as resigned boozer Robert) to Patrick Descamps (his grouchy pal Jean-Pierre) – give a nicely tempered portrait of male community, hard-pressed but with distinct traces of iron in its soul.

Author: Wally Hammond

Time Out London Issue 1936: September 26-October 2 2007


User reviews of this film

  • christophe UK said...
    Posted on Sep 28 2007 14:18 One of these dark northern France/belgium masterpiece. Perfect casting, serious rythmn, compelling story. You only wishe it had a more "american" type of ending as you really root for the characters.
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Cast & crew

Director: Lucas Belvaux

Producer: Patrick Sobelman

Cast: Eric Caravaca, Claude Semal, Lucas Belvaux, Patrick Descamps, Natacha Régnier full cast

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

Rated: 15

Duration: 116 mins

UK Release: Sep 28 2007




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