Pupille

I would have never thought my story could one day be made into a film! I came across it by chance and got stuck till the last minute. I literally relived my own story as an adoptant mum in France : the heavy system, the waiting, the hopes and fails.

Everything in the storyboard reminded me of what we went through.

The actors, and most particularly Elodie Bouchez, manage to convey the despair and feelings I felt through the adoption process. Adoption is a battle worth fighting for which is well described in this sensitive film.

My child is fifteen today and when the right time comes, we must watch this film together.

There is no doubt the subject matter of the French fostering and adoption system is an important topic and one which I guess most people know little or nothing about, and, assuming the system in my home country of England is not too dissimilar, it was very educational for me. Emotion inevitably comes into it as we see an unwanted baby boy pass from his birth, through the system, to his eventual new home. The film is slow paced, which was not remotely a problem for me but may be for some. The acting,and production are all very good.

My main problem with the film was it just seemed too bland. Whilst I appreciate the characters were meant to be realistic, we are nonetheless watching a drama not a documentary and so artistic licence is allowed. When such licence was employed it came across as totally contrived, almost for the sake of it. The script was also just a bit too dry. Whilst life is the primary subject of the film, there was a real lack of sparkle to it, a lack of life.

I found it enjoyable, and in some ways an important film to see from an educational perspective, but feel in the hands of superior film makers it could have been so much better (the Dardenne brothers immediately come to mind).

With all the reality TV there is around these days, if there are any documentaries on the same subject then I would suggest watching them instead of this.

It's been a long time since I have seen a new film that moved me like this one. I saw it as part of a virtual film festival. The cast and chemistry is wonderful but the infant steals every scene. One of those films that will undoubtedly stay with you forever.

Do not miss the Last few seconds of French writer/director Jeanne Herry's poignant movie, "In Safe Hands", (Pupille). About an infant's journey through the French adoption system. I was so affected by this movie. Baby Théo and all the baby Theos passed through adoption systems, sometimes for months before they are placed with their adoptive parent(s), will forever be impressed upon my heart and mind. This very well directed amazing cast and story that focuses on baby but also touches on the lives of the many people involved in Theo's first three months of life brought laughs, tears and pondering for which I am glad to have experienced. Again, do not miss the last split second!

This movie manipulates the viewer in the name of some preconceived moral values concerning child caring and parenthood.

Montage technique used all along the film seems to be an outdated technique which does not quite fit to the idea of the movie