StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
Helloturia
I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.
Raymond Sierra
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
detritusmaximus
* * * some spoilers * * * Not sure what this oddball film's message was supposed to be, other than for parents to tell their own kid, "Don't you try it!".The notion that Laure could actually fool Lisa--a girl her own age-- into believing she was a boy for so long was difficult to swallow, given her obvious femininity: smooth complexion, body language, soft spoken voice, etc., not to mention her lack of an Adam's apple (laryngeal prominence)--the first feature to look for when identifying a male impersonator.Laure's initial hesitancy to horse around and play games with the neighbourhood boys seemed to confuse Lisa at first yet not enough to arouse serious suspicion.Another clue which none of the boys caught onto was the fact that Laure and Lisa never wore socks under their sneakers while every boy except one did. Indeed, how many film viewers even noticed that giveaway?I have no idea how frequently such deliberate impersonation by children actually occurs throughout the world, but it's a risky endeavour that could end badly and even tragically under the wrong circumstances. At least Laure's parents reacted appropriately, which is more than can be said for many of today's messed-up parents who, incredibly, even attempt to burden their newborn children with totally unacceptable names which, thankfully, most responsible governments refuse to permit nor register on their birth certificates.
allyatherton
A young girl moves to a new community as a boyStarring Zoe HeranWritten and directed by Celine SciammaThis is another short but pretty mesmerizing French movie with subtitles.It's an oddball movie. A gentle and quirky tale of a young girl's search for her own identity. It kept my interest all the way. No car chases. No special effects. Just a decent story that gives a unique insight into a child's life.I liked it.7.5/10
BethlehemS
It isn't often that I enjoy movies based around children, but it was impossible for me to hate this one. French films have always had a sense of honesty that I value and Tomboy did not disappoint in that aspect. Taking a serious topic and putting it in the perfect of a child was genius. Almost everything about this movie was completely fulfilling. The story is so captivating that I found little time to focus on technical aspects of the film. The emotion was spectacular in a simple and childish way that reminds me of being younger. This movie would have been nearly perfect if the story had been properly finished. The ending was very unsatisfactory and left so much to be wanted for such an amazing film. Unfortunately because the ending was so hollow I can't give this movie an extremely high rating, but I definitely recommend it.
p.newhouse@talk21.com
I debated with myself for months before buying this film, but I love the film 'Ma Vie En Rose', about a little boy who wants to be a little girl, so I was curious to see how the story of a little girl who wants to be a little boy might be handled. I suppose therefore, maybe I bought this film as an academic companion piece to 'Ma Vie En Rose'.In either case, the scenario had to be handled sensitively and proficiently by the actors and directors concerned, to avoid their efforts descending into puerile comedic farce. Fortunately, in both cases, this has not happened.Celine Sciamma's debut as a Director, 'Water Lilies'', was an almost claustrophobically tense dance of adolescent first love, lust, and friendship. This piece, however, retains the freedom and breathtaking joyousness of childhood, without seeking to mask the truth for the sake of an adult's eyes.Zoe Heran is perfectly cast as Laure, the ten year old girl who slips into the persona of Michael without a backward glance when she and her family move to a new neighbourhood. She is to be commended for her bravery in taking on this role, as it cannot be easy for a child to be told that they would do well playing the opposite sex. Casting Zoe Heran's real life friends in the film was a masterstroke, as their presence on screen gives the film a fly-on-the-wall feel that just helps to extend the naturally joyous feel of childhood to the viewer.Inevitably, any serious film collector or fan thinking of buying this film may seek comparisons between Laure and characters such as Saga (Melinda Kinnaman) in 'My Life As A Dog. Don't. This film is very much in the neo-realist tradition of modern European cinema and, as such, the situation in which Laure finds herself is very naturalistic.I should not have prevaricated over buying this film. Watch it, and enjoy your own childhood all over again!
