Review of The Kid with a Bike (2011) by Jorge R — 24 Jan 2013

"The Kid with a Bike" is a strangely optimistic and uplifting fable from the Dardenne brothers. I'm not a huge fan of straight-up neorealism, but in the case of this directing duo, it's so deftly executed that instead of producing mundane pictures of daily life, it weaves together a story of hope and redemption, stripped of any pretension and cynicism.

It's a beautiful film to look at, as much as an inspiring account to experience. The leading boy is a true revelation-one of the best child performances I've seen in my many years as a cinephile.