Shéhérazade

It was hard to get into it this world right off the bat. I had moments I wanted to wander off. Very specific, tough lives. But the realism and the natural magnetism of the actors kept me in.

The one motorcycle sequence which shot in a single movement is more effective than many action movies I've seen lately. The courtroom sequence flows with a matter-of-fact rhythm and holds a lot of great tension. This is the denoument of the social commentary. The characters, especially Sheherazade grew on me quite a bit in the end.

I write while I'm moved after seeing this great movie. A jewel of modern neo-realism very well done, editing, photography, dialogues and above all the performance of the young protagonist are really excellent. The gangster story in the first two acts is really tense, moreover full of desolation and misery. The surprising and courageous ending, on the other hand, tightens the heart and leaves room for true love against all expectations, against the will of all, at the high price of suffering the consequent repercussions. A redemption that proves to be the only way out. the salvation that projects the boy to mutation, to adult transformation.

What worked: The movie is as real as it can get; characters are not as black and white as we see in the movies. It's a well executed movie piece with characters with more than a linear life story. Each had their own story, their struggles and hardship. It's an enjoyable watch, and a well climaxed story. As a movie viewer from a different language, it's a treat. What did not work: Maybe some parts of the story could have been garnished and well explained. The movie leaves some plotholes. On the other hand the characters and stories are not glorified because maybe they wanted to show the characters and the narrative in the gray area; not exactly explaining things. Final verdict: recommended

I'm not really one for love stories, but this one has an edge and tells a good street-story. Definitely worth watching.

There is no way anyone who hasn't grown up in France can understand the nuances this film offers. So much is in the language and in the delivery that you can't understand through subtitles.

Having grown up in the 20eme of Paris, the slang and accents hit home and truly carries this amazing film.

If you think these kids are trying too hard, it's cuz you don't have the perspective of where these kids come from. Everything in this film is genuine and true to the way minorities communicate in the inner cities of France.

If you care about French film, this is indispensable.