Review of London River (2009) by Fabio J — 10 Sep 2012

London River British film, co-written, produced directed by Franco-Algerian Rachid Bouchareb (Outside The Law -Best Foreign Language Oscar-nominated). Starring Brenda Blethyn and late Sotigui Kouyaté. Film premiered at (59th) Berlin International Film Festival on Feb 10-2009.

In July 2005, British Elisabeth Sommers (Blethyn), go to mainland England to search for her missing daughter (on infamous day of 7th July 2005 bombings in London)from Guernsey, where she works on her farm. An African Muslim Ousmane (Kouyaté) flocks in from France looking for his son Ali, whom he hasn't seen since he left him when the boy was 6 years old. Both individually search for their son and daughter. The two suspect each others' kids in manipulating one another. Finally they come to know that they were a couple who lived together.

Here is a film that deals with several issues, and what an effort to explore a human sentiments best tested in times of agony and misery during infamous London bombings. Brenda Blethyn delivers one of great performances of the year, and it's a performance that defines the very touching subject of the film. Sotigui Kouyaté an old tall African man occupies the screen with his dramatic expressions, and a performance that brings 'versus' situation between Brenda and Kouyaté. A remarkable and unforgettable movie.