Review of Lorna's Silence (2008) by Paul D — 14 Aug 2010

Character study/observation of Lorna (Dobroshi), living in the marginalized 'banlieue' underbelly of Belgium, who must decide whether or not to turn-blind-eye to a junkie's murder-for-profit - and then live with the consequences.

Lorna's down for business until he (Renier) gets clean, inspired only by Lorna's smallest kindnesses. Living on society's jagged-edge, Lorna hasn't experienced the honest sincerity, appreciation and emotion he offers. Soon enough, that junkie's a real human being - and far less disposable. But criminal business-is-business, so Lorna's sponsors will have her silence in the matter, one way or the other.

Classic stylings from the Dardenne Brothers, who draw from their early-career experience as documentarians to deliver the viewer a type of 'choreographed realism;' the lens impartially observing and obsessing Lorna's odyssey. The Dardennes shoot chronologically so actors 'experience' character tribulations, delivering yet more realism.

The Dardennes' storylines/characters highlight sufferings of Europe's new underclass of poor and immigrants. This outing's no exception, based on certain criminal practices related to them by acquaintances. Hence their films are conscious-raising, at least in Europe, confronting the comfortable upper-classes with their disenfranchisement of such people from the enlightened culture/society they still imagine Western Europe to be.

Dardenne Brothers films are also popular with European audiences because they place the central character deep within a high-stakes, life-changing ethical dilemma. Their filming style extracts empathy from viewers, wondering how they would decide, whether they could endure the consequences - and why supposedly sophisticated European society places its own in such circumstance.

Quality deliveries by newcomers Dobroshi and Renier.

For viewers finding no resolution in the final scene, carefully consider Lorna's stove again.

Well recommended.