The Son
(2002)
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Olivier, a carpenter who teaches his craft to teenagers become obsessed with a new student, Francis. The reason for his obsession soon becomes apparent... |
Belgian film-makers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne apply their uncompromising brand of social realism to the subject of masculine emotion in this unsettling account of a carpentry teacher's relationship with the teenager responsible for the death of his son. There's also an element of suspense in deciphering the nature of Olivier Gourmet's intentions towards student Morgan Marinne — is he looking for revenge or simply understanding? Aggressively employing a hand-held camera to reinforce Gourmet's superb portrayal of the bereaved man's fraught state, the Dardenne brothers explore the nature of pain, forgiveness and the notion of the redemptive dignity of labour, finally uncovering the potential for good in this most unprepossessing of settings.