A young boy is rejected by his father. He cannot accept the fact and goes on a relentless hunt for his parent. This brings him into contact with a hairdresser who fosters him, assisting his search and trying to keep him our of the reaches of the local thugs, who keep stealing his bicycle. As usual with the Dardennes, the acting is naturalistic and the narrative is shorn of melodrama. The camera is hand-held and each scene is delivered in one shot. This formula, that works so well in 'L'Enfant,' fails to deliver any emotional punch here. Thomas Doret is exceptional as the fierce Cyril, all action and energy and brooding moodiness. Cécile De France as hairdresser Samantha only hints at the reasons for her altruism. The characters are convincing, but the drama does not excite. The bike gets stolen far too often, and the camera lingers too long on Cyril staring in a window, Cyril riding his bike, Cyril watching a football game. The ending seems to arrive randomly, and in borderline ludicrous fashion. The near universal love for this mundane little film is a mystery in itself.
Review of The Kid with a Bike
