Why do adults tell children to "calm down" when they have no idea how to do so - and, in this film, to "accept" that his father does not want to see him? The youth worker tells Cyril to "Accept it". Yeh, that's easy isn't it - most adults struggle with rejection, how much harder is that for a child? So that made me angry to start with. But ironically, in many ways in the film, Cyril does just accept what happens to him, with his beautiful, deceptively expressionless face. Social services and the law appear to move a lot faster in France than they do in England - I'm sure it would take MONTHS to be accepted as a foster carer. But obviously that doesn't help move a drama along... Fantastically understated performances and direction - no goo in sight.
Review of The Kid with a Bike
