The Devil’s Playground (1976)

“Growing up can be a special kind of hell…”

Hearing the title of the Australian 1976 film The Devil’s Playground, one may wrongfully assume that Fred Schepisi’s directorial debut feature is a horror flick. Instead, the movie offers a somewhat controversial portrayal of life in a strict Catholic boarding school – where rules are set to be followed even if often they do not make much sense to the priests and institutions that establish them.

The controversial trait of The Devil’s Playground arises mainly from the fact that it daringly tries to address issues such as temptations and sexual frustration in both the young pupils and the “Broders” who run the institution. The film’s narrative has more similarities to Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society than with Aisling Walsh’s Song for a Raggy Boy — despite the fact that it does not shy away from exploring taboo issues related to youthful sexuality and character development.

Tom Allen (Simon Burke) in The Devil’s Playground (1976)

Like most Coming-of-Age narratives, The Devil’s Playground has a young character at its core — 13-year-old Tom Allen (Simon Burke) –- a pupil at the school who tries to follow his vocation (towards becoming a brother himself), while dealing with various problems. These include such things as bed wetting, tardiness and resisting (or at least trying to resist) the urges that the “brothers” refer to as unnatural. The brothers themselves are well aware of the changes that occur to the body and minds of their youthful pupils, yet they have to find a balance between acknowledgment and acceptance on one side and rules and discipline on the other.

As a former boarding school student myself, I enjoyed the portrayal of comradeship and the trials and tribulations associated with living on the school grounds. The director did not opt for cheap thrills or surprising plot twists, yet the philosophical conflicts of and between the characters result in a sense of tension (of distinct kinds), which more than compensates for the former.

Cinematographically there is little to complain about as most scenes include smart use if shadows and shades. I enjoyed the usage of lights, especially in the scenes chosen for the artwork of the film’s poster.

Even though the film was released more than 30 years ago, it addresses universal issues that are as valid today as they were back then. The film features some scenes with nudity, yet nothing exploitive and nothing that really is very controversial on its own. The characters are well developed and portrayed by the director and cast yet, for some reason, I was not able to associate with any particular one – remaining an outside observer of their experiences, which is not the ideal outcome of a Coming-of-Age film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074404/combined

Gente de bien (2014)

Gente de bien (English: Well To Do People) is a 2014 Coming-of-Age drama focusing on social inequalities. It’s directed by Franco Lolli. While the action takes place in Colombia, the story is universal and could have happened anywhere in the world (as confirmed by my own experience).

Unlike other social dramas, Gente de bien does not intend to pass judgement by portraying the well-off people negatively or vice versa. The filmmakers have decided to show life as it is -thus opting for accuracy instead of pre-set tear-jerking scenes. The central character of the film is 10-year-old Eric (Brayan Santamarià), who gets sent to live with his hard-working dad Gabriel (Carlos Fernando Pérez). The short-term handyman projects Gabriel undertakes barely provide enough money for the rent. Yet, as a loving parent, he tries his best to make Eric feel welcomed and happy.

Gabriel (Carlos Fernando Pérez ) with his son Eric (Brayan Santamarià)

Gabriel’s latest client, a well-to-do university educator by the name of Maria Isabel (Alejandra Borrero), takes to heart the father’s problems and invites him and Eric to spend the summer vacation with her and her kids at her family’s luxurious country villa. Gabriel is reluctant to accept. But, facing eviction from the flat he rents in a boring house, and being offered a job placement in the villa while the vacation lasts, he goes along with the suggestion of his employer.

Unfortunately the ever present conflict between pride and prejudice plays its role as the different social atmosphere makes Gabriel begin to feel inadequate. Meanwhile, Eric is still too young to note his father’s feelings, but faces his own challenges in the universal struggle for acceptance and self-assurance.

As the son of hard-working parents living as immigrants in a foreign country, I was able to associate with Eric’s struggles (despite our difference in age), which speaks volumes about the accuracy of the narrative and the effectiveness in how it is related in the film. How well I identified with Eric’s character in the film is also a testament to young Brayan Santamariathe’s natural talent in front of the camera..

The film’s drama and conflicts are the total opposite of those portrayed in Gennaro Nunziante‘s 2013 movie Sole a catinelle (Sun in Buckets). Although both films feature a “working-class” father and son who find themselves in an upper social class, the latter aims to entertain the viewer with funny scenes showing how crazy life can be, while Gente de bien harshly portrays the class distinction present despite the good intentions and the lost innocence of young boy — a victim of that same inequality.

I felt slightly disturbed by the fact that the actors cast in the roles of the well-to-do characters are, on average, somewhat more charismatic (both kids and adults). But then as takes on visual appearances can be subjective for each individual viewer, this is not a factor that strongly affected my general positive impression of the accuracy and realism of the story being told.

Some viewers may dislike the slow dramatic buildup of the story, but it is necessary to grasp the complexity behind the misleadingly simple happenings. The difference in social standing is portrayed in an effective manner, second only to that of Ursula Meier in her 2012 film L’enfant d’en haut (Sister), which offers surprising twists in addition to an emotionally charged and complex narrative.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3751300/combined

Interview with the film’s director available at directorsnotes.com

The Brave One (1956)

The Brave One (1956) tells the story of Leonardo (Michel Ray) – a young Mexican boy who raises a fighting bull from calf-hood. Essentially it’s the classic human-animal relationships story that we have seen in so many movies with Coming-of-Age narratives such as Old Yeller, Duma, Free Willy and Kauwboy, to mention but a few, redefining the concepts of love and comradeship with the unique twist of having a bull for a pet.

According to the promotional narrative in the trailer: “…again and again and again your blood will raise, your heart stand still as you share the hopes and dreams and fears of every boy who ever had a pet …”. And, while the second part of that statement is valid for modern-day viewers of any age, the film’s lengthy run time is likely to cause boredom (instead of causing a rise in the blood).

What I found most exciting were the bullfighting scenes, which provided the sense of suspense that is somewhat lacking in other places of the film’s story development. Only this time I found myself cheering for the bull instead of the matador (the bullfighter).

The Brave One was shot on location in Mexico, so the settings are both authentic and beautiful. Together with the orchestral soundtrack, they more than provide for the production values of the movie. The likable and charming appearance of young Michel Ray is another plus, even if at times his acting seems somewhat exaggerated.

Young children are likely to enjoy the film, even if some parents may choose not to let them view it due to the somewhat common stance against bullfighting nowadays (one I fail to understand).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049030/combined

Our rating

In short

"The Brave One" tells the story of Leonardo – a young Mexican boy who raises a fighting bull from calf-hood.

3.2

Our rating

Where to Watch

Amazon

Why Kids Love Coming-of-Age Movies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34FjAhzxIM

Great for Family Movie Watching

Pay It Forward (2000) - poster — Pay It Forward (2000) – poster

Coming-of-Age movies are great for family movie nights, especially since they are so much appreciated by the youngest of the family members. They are fun for children and parents can use these movies to help make a point to their children, like teaching them a lesson. These films are filled with action, drama and fun moments as well, in most cases having children as main characters.

The Characters

And perhaps this is one of the reasons children appreciate these movies. When the main hero is of an age close to the child, the young viewer can easily identify with him, being more attracted by the film’s story. Some children even have their favorite young actors, loving to see movies in which they play.

Imagination

Films such as these are also often filled with adventure, sometimes a fantasy world, and characters that go beyond their imagination. And we all know that children and a rich imagination always go well together. Childhood is, after all, a fascinating period — a time in which kids believe that anything is possible.

It’s no wonder they are so fond of movies in which their heroes always win, in which they visit lands found only in books, or where their heros have incredible powers. Of course, movies in which the joy of childhood and the mischiefs of children are presented are also among the favorites. Parents can use the attraction of their children to these movies to choose those that are educational, or have a valuable lesson to offer, in a fun and easy to understand manner.

Self-Discovery

Tomboy (2011) - poster — Tomboy (2011) – poster

Things are rather easy when you are just a child, imagining that the world in which we live will never change. But as children advance in age and go to school and high school, they discover that things don’t always stay the same — they change. They notice the formation of various social groups, and where they fit in among them. And, as they grow, children have their first contact with love and the building of friendships.

There are many Coming-of-Age movies that treat these issues from the perspective of a child or teenager. They are appropriate for their age and help parents explain various aspects of how these issues can best be approached. Of course, watching a movie is not a substitute for a healthy conversation between a parent and a child. But, because children will have a great time watching the film, it will set the mood to start a conversation related to social or romantic issues, perhaps in areas they may have an issue similar to those of the main character in the film.

Life-Lessons and Fun

So, if children see that others experience the same things they do, or see them reaching the dreams they dream about having, it may be rather uplifting. Children will get the feeling that anything is possible if they just believe and work for it. There is always an educational message in these movies, making them just perfect for young viewers who believe that anything is possible. In addition, a film’s special effects will always keep them with their mouths open each time something exciting happens.

For more on Coming-of-Age movies check:

or, if you are looking for a film to watch next, explore our top-notch reviews section.

Cider with Rosie (2015)

Based on the bestselling 1959 semi-autobiographical novel by Laurie Lee, the 2015 BBC ONE adaptation of Cider with Rosie is one of the best, if not THE best Coming-Of-Age movie that has graced the screen in the recent years.

I hadn’t read the book prior to seeing the film, yet was really intrigued by the captivating novelistic manner in which the story is told.

The ingenious usage of montage and voice-over narration (by the grown up protagonist relating the experiences of childhood seen from many years later) invokes memories of the manner in which To Kill a Mockingbird was adapted for screen in 1962.

The cast

Young Lol (Georgie Smith) , Cider with Rosie (Photo: BBC/Origin/Laurence Cendrowicz) — Young Loll (Georgie Smith), Cider with Rosie (Photo: BBC/Origin/Laurence Cendrowicz)

Georgie Smith and Archie Cox are the two young actors embodying the character of Laurie Lee (or Loll as everyone calls him) in his prepubescent and teenage years respectively. When Loll begins to attend school, he meets a pair of girls who he’ll end up going to school with for the next 10 years: Jo and Rosie. The girls are played by Isabella Polkinghorne (as young Jo) and Maya Gerber (Jo as a teen) and Libby Easton (Rosie as a young girl) and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis (as older Rosie). Together, these four actresses portray the stages of a girl’s blossoming — from “puppishly” pretty to beautiful. Despite choosing newcomers for the lead roles, the casting of the film is a complete success as everyone, both children and adults, deliver natural performances that really boost the authenticity of their respective characters.

The Narrative

I am not particularly fond of Coming-of-Age movies which devote only 10 to 15 minutes to childhood and then jump suddenly to the later stages of life for most of the rest of the film. Stories told in that manner miss out on the complexity of growing up — with its wonders and tribulations — which are an integral part of the whole rite-of-passage experience. Thankfully, in Cider with Rosie, the editing is done in a way that provides insights into the growing experience while keeping the viewer engaged for the entire film’s duration.

The narrative of Cider with Rosie genuinely portrays a great deal of the Coming-of-Age experience from learning about the war, about love, and about what makes people happy or sad – with a slightly humorous layer and heartwarming tone.

The Settings

The film’s setting goes hand-in-hand with a beautiful poetic narrative, featuring lavish landscapes, meadows and valleys that take one’s breath away. Combining these settings and the production design (for a film set in the last summer of the 1st world war) inspires a sense of melancholic nostalgia that’s in tune with the world of the narrator:

The world was a miracle to me. And one day l would record what l’d seen so that others could see it too. Before it was lost and gone forever.

This film adaptation of Laurie Lee’s autobiographical novel is truthfully met by the filmmakers. The film offers a window to another world – real in essence, but perceived as almost magical through the prism of time.

Archie Cox and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis as Loll and Rosie , Cider with Rosie (Photo: BBC/Origin/Laurence Cendrowicz)

Even though half the film’s duration is devoted to the teenage years of the protagonists, Cider with Rosie is everything modern high-school Coming-of-Age films are not. It’s not SWAG in any way, but instead it’s charged with emotions and a beautiful portrayal of first love experiences (so poignantly and realistically presented that one can’t help but re-live his/her own). As an example, here is the manner in which sexual awakening is portrayed in the film:

The early exploration of Jo’s body was a solitary studying of maps. The signs upon her showed me the way l should go, over fIesh smoother than a candle’s skin. Like something thrown down from the moon.

Recommendation

Cider with Rosie promised and delivered an amazing cinematic experience for me. I could not detect a single flaw by the filmmakers and loved the film and the story it tells from the beginning to the very end. A true masterpiece worthy of being called “The Best Coming-of-Age film of 2015”.

Highly recommended!

Official Trailer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4117850/

The Amulet: A Book Review

Although set in the late 1950’s, this story is timeless and will strike a chord even today!

The Amulet, written by 14-year-old Logan Morris, is a pacy jaunt with loads of good ‘kid fun’ that has you flying through the pages. And to borrow a line from the movie Stand by Me, based on the story by Stephen King …

“You will never again have friends like those you had when you were 12 years old.”

School holidays had begun, and the adventurous 12-year-olds were off to spend a couple of days at “Kurt’s cabin” on the Fleming farm property, where the boys could let their hair down and have a cigarette and perhaps even a beer or two.. and as you witness their excitement you can so relate to their mind-set.

Writing a short novel at age 14 is quite a contract, but for a first time effort, Logan does this with skill and confidence. And while gently drawing us into his magical world, we are reminded of our own childhood adventures and smiling and nodding our head as we turn the pages.

Buddy’s life changed forever when old Mr. Thomas died. And the amazing gift he left behind would challenge and shape Buddy and Mikey’s character and morality into the future.

You felt a sick satisfaction when school bully Leonard Evans got his just deserts; and your pulse raced as Buddy and Mikey did a night time lap in the Chevy Corvette, with the music up and the roof rolled back!

But all fun and jest to one side… this is really a story of how ‘too much of a good thing’ can have unwanted consequences that can even kill – look what happened to Mr. Thomas!

Logan’s story is an easy-to-read adventure that questions values from a child’s point of view. Skillfully written… it has you not wanting it to end.

Bravo!

The author of The Amulet, Logan Morris lives on east coast U.S.A and is just 14-years-old. In addition to writing novels, he writes poetry and composes song lyrics.

You can find his book at Amazon.com

Winnetou’s Son (2015)

Do you know who Winnetou is?

Winnetou is a renowned Apache chief, hero of several novels written by the German author Karl May. (A favorite author of mine whose adventure filled young adult books I highly recommend).

Don’t worry if you didn’t know that as you will quickly get the vibe of the 2015 German movie Winnetou’s Son (original title: Winnetous Sohn) in which a self-confident, yet slightly puffy, Max (10-year-old Lorenzo Germeno) tries to prove his worth (and Indian spirit) by winning the casting for the role of Winnetou’s son (as heroic as Winnetou himself) in a nearby theatrical production.

The role has some “small” requirements: learning the dialogue, perfect horse riding, lasso throwing, archery, fighting and… making a fire with stones. Yet, despite the challenges, Max is determined to succeed and recruits Morten (Tristan Göbel), a boy he meets at a Native American themed children’s camp. Morten is reluctant to be there and sulks most of the time, but Max welcomes him wholeheartedly as a member of the tribe and, bit-by-bit, wins him over. After all, all heroes need a side-kick, don’t they? The friendship between the two boys (each an outsider for his own reasons) flourishes and becomes essential for the development of the story.

Max is not really warrior material – at least not as appearances are concerned – but he’s full of courage and has a tremendous knowledge of the Wild West. Additionally, he doesn’t display the stereotypical qualities of overweight kids in movies. Instead he is full of energy and certainly charismatic. His character provides comic relief, as one would expect from a comedy film but, at the same time, is truly inspirational.

Official trailer

The various motifs of the plot – such as comradeship, father-son relationships, dysfunctional relationships and embracing change — complicates the scenes just enough to keep older audiences interested. Although the film’s narrative shares similarities with “give all of yourself and you will succeed” type of Coming-of-Age films, it is entertaining enough to keep younger audience members engaged too.

Nothing is overly dramatized, yet one doesn’t expect that from a childrens film. As a result, the manner in which Winnetou’s Son is filmed reminds me of other kid oriented German flicks such as Tom und Hacke (2012) and Devil’s Kickers (original title: Teufelskicker). Good natured fun!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3919644/combined

Enclave (2015)

With regions such as Kosovo, one is not surprised that the Balkans are always filled with tension. Whereas the issues are caused by adults, it is often the kids who have to suffer alongside. Coming from the Balkans myself, I was intently drawn by the story line of the 2015 Serbian drama Enclave, written and directed by Goran Radovanovic.

For many people in the Western world, scenes from the life of a 10-year-old Serbian boy, Nenad (Filip Subaric), may look bizarre (going to school in a KFOR armored fighting vehicle…etc.), yet the story emits a sense of authenticity. “My life in Kosovo is the same as the audience sees on the screen”, confirmed the young actor playing the lead role in Enclave at the film’s premiere at the Summer Stage in Vrnjačka Banja.

As a protagonist of a Coming-of-Age story, Filip Subaric intrigues the audience up to the point that one is unable to remain indifferent towards the fate of his character. Naturally, as is expected from a serious drama, the film’s prevailing mood is quite melancholic – with some of the settings (the ruins of an Orthodox church) striking right at one’s heart. While there are no overly violent scenes, the sense of dread (or even hatred) is omnipresent.

The narrative progresses at a slow pace appropriate for a drama, yet this did not diminish my impression of the excellent storytelling.

Official Trailer

http://youtu.be/pNzVLq5ViG4

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2886632/

The Cowboys (1972)

The Cowboys scene — Scene from The Cowboys( 1972)

“I am a man and you are boys. Not common, not by a damn sight. Nothing but cowboys, just as the word says!”

When we published the review of Savatore Samperi’s film Nenè here on the site, I could not help but notice that most classic Coming-of-Age films here were released in Italy. Surely, I thought, there must exist American produced films that focus on youth that were released in the 70s or 80s.

Continue

The Boy with Green Hair (1948)

The year a film was released has never been a determining factor in my viewing decisions. That’s why when I stumbled upon the 1948 American film with the intriguing title The Boy with Green Hair my interest was instantly piqued.

The premise of the story focuses on Peter, a young orphaned boy (played by Dean Stockwell who went on to star in more than 90 films after this one) whose hair inexplicably turns green overnight. Since that moment, Peter struggles to gain acceptance, learning in the process that he needs to first accept himself.

There is a common belief (though I don’t subscribe to it) that one should not use equal criteria when reviewing new releases versus ones from the past. Yet the audience can’t go back in time and see the film through the eyes of the people who originally viewed it, which is why I like take the approach of reviewing a movie as if the readers of the review are people who have just seen the film or are about to.

Dean Stockwell as Peter in The Boy with Green Hair

The Boy with Green Hair did not provide much in terms of suspense and, I have to admit, I looked at my watch twice while viewing it (never a good sign while watching a film) to see how much time remained. But the message of the story and several great scenes (an uplifting one with boys singing in a car and a sad one at the barber shop among them), made it an OK movie.

With the central young character facing conformity expectations of the people around him, the film’s narrative could be classified as one belonging to the Coming-of-Age genre. The scenes featuring singing and music give away the age of the film (nowadays no one would include much singing in a feature film for fear of appearing cheesy) yet, even so, they emit warmth and joyfulness.

The film also features one of the most touching inter-generational relationships I have seen in cinema — between Peter and Gramps (an older gentlemen who takes the young orphan under his care) — so much so that The Boy with Green Hair could be shown to people for the wonderful portrayal of the way in which boys (and girls for that matter) ought to be treated if one is to earn their trust and affection.

The events in a film, if seen metaphorically, have a significant relevance to the present (just substitute the hair color with skin color, body shape or sexuality).

The Boy with Green Hair Official Trailer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040185/combined

Georgi Dolgolenko (Gregory): Moscow’s Magic Voice

It’s that marvelous moment when you discover a new voice and it blows you away that keeps inspiring me to write about young talent.

Georgi Dolgolenko (Георгий Долголенко), or Gregory, is a boy from Moscow who has already sung to a worldwide audience at the Sochi Winter Olympics. He’s a lanky, picturesque, wholesome looking boy with a chilled but concentrated style. He laughs when things get silly. He sings a variety of styles well, mostly recent Pop or R+B tunes, in English and Russian.

I found him while searching for another Russian singer (I don’t read Russian without the translator) and held my breath! It was his cover of Sia – Chandelier (1.4 million clicks at the time of writing) at the Russian Voice Kids competition, which I’d never heard.

Георгий Долголенко. "Chandelier" - Слепые прослушивания - Голос Дети - Сезон 2

04:38

Russian Edition - Chandelier Sia Cover

03:30

There is a distinct drama to this. The song itself is a build up to a kind of carefree madness induced by alcohol. The tune repeats a difficult high chorus sequence twice; the verses run quickly in between. At the beginning, we don’t see Georgi stressed. He sets off confidently singing in good English. After his first crystal clear falsetto part, the judge in the middle, Pelageya, turns and accompanies him with gestures and lip sync.

She’s the only judge who turns. I suppose, if I were extremely critical, I could say some “power” is missing in his voice in places. But these high peaks of Georgi’s voice at the top of his lungs are astonishing, as though his very being is crying out to the audience.

As he goes on, however, we suddenly notice that he’s struggling, almost as though he was nervous. His breathing is off by the second verse! The chorus falsetto again rings out brilliantly, the audience cheers, but now we notice he is tiring. He’s like a football player who’s covered the distance and run out of steam! But he can’t stop! He can’t click PAUSE! The song drives on relentlessly! He must sing because there’s no substitute!

And then it happens. Briefly, but noticeably, his voice goes hoarse. Luckily he recovers immediately to hail out the final chorus with even higher notes. Its only at the end we see how stressful and draining this performance was! Sighs of relief as he holds his throat, which has survived the “torture test” of Sia – Chandelier.

The studio version and pro video of Chandelier shows Georgi with some Russian country pals and a white goat. The goat provides some comic relief as Georgi wanders into the city. This gives us insight into the artist’s character rather than focusing on the theme of the song. (You could hardly show him on a drunken high, swinging from traffic lights, after all).

Amusing, but semi-serious, the video is more a moving portrait of the singer. The studio audio is more controlled, less all-out than the live! But it’s precise, as his voice truly soars from a crystal chandelier. The video toggles between dancing exuberance and pensive contemplation. It presents some stunning natural cameos of Gregory.

As an audience, we rarely witness the failure of a singer; especially since most things are recorded. But it does happen and that’s what adds suspense to a “live”.

http://youtu.be/p_Tt3hOr86k

Georgi Dolgolenko is fairly unknown in the “West”, but that is changing rapidly with well-produced videos like My Recovery, recorded in black and white. It’s double-tracked in places, giving this song about social paranoia and healing a haunting quality. Interesting that Dolgolenko’s managers have chosen these more plaintiff, mature songs as opposed to the awful Kinder Klimbim that often appears.

Dolgolenko also has a unique, stylish stage presence, often wearing a suave round black hat, as several live amateur videos reveal. His performances in front of a camera show how intensely he can bring across the mood of a song as, for example, his Wrecking Ball cover.

Like Ranel Bogdanov (whom we featured a week ago), after his particpation in Russian Voice Kids, Gregory was signed by the Ecole Productions label .

There are many other good videos proving that Georgi Dolgolenko is a young sensation with a fine backup team. I predict he will soon be known worldwide and I hope for European and North American Concert Tours soon. Part of the magic behind this artist is Sound Producer Alex Kolchin from Sound Kids Recording Studio who provides expert audio mixing. The first album of Dolgolenko is currently in the works . During a meeting with his fans he revealed that the lead hit in it will be a song about love. Currently Gregory alongside Ranel and other talented kids is touring Russia as part of the Super Deti Tour.

I am very excited about hearing what creations will follow in the next years.

http://youtu.be/37e1VVHVKT0

Official Page, Social Media, Instagram, Official Fan Group

Best Wishes from rjmendera

The Orphanage (2013)

The Orphanage (also known as The Institute and Milwood) is a 2013 thriller that has somehow flown beneath my radar despite the fact that it has heavy Coming-of-Age overtones in its narrative. The cover art is misleading, at best, as it gives the impression that the film would be a horror flick in the style of the Omen (kid holding a knife looking sinister).

Instead, the film’s story is about 11-year-old Nathan Perry (Christian Goodwin) who gets sent to Milwood, an institution for young adults, after the untimely death of both parents in a car accident. There, overwhelmed with grief, nervous and confused, Nathan becomes a victim of unforeseen terror and the unusual behavior of the people who run the institution.

Granted, portraying the fate of a victimized kid at the hands of sociopathic, authoritative adults is often a subject addressed in movies. And, while the screenplay of The Orphanage does not really present any surprises, it tends to be overly ambiguous.

There are inexplicable issues with sound (some of the dialogue is barely audible) in the first scenes which, thankfully, is addressed at a later stage ( an odd silence is replaced with a suitable score, even if some static noise can still be heard). The camera work is shaky and never surpasses the quality one expects from a low-budget TV drama (it could be editing mistakes that causes this impression).

Chrisian Goodwin as Nathan in The Orphanage

Yet, despite the aforementioned cinematic imperfections, the story manages to engage, a suspenseful atmosphere is present, and one does not feel boredom during the entire movie. Parallels could be drawn between the characters of Chrisian Goodwin and those of Robert Naylor (Tommy LeBlanc) in Daniel Grou’s Dix et demi and Harley Cross (Dan Love) in Juan José Campanella’s The Boy Who Cried Bitch. All of the protagonists of these films have had to spend time in institutional settings after falling victim to an unfortunate event in their lives. Additionally, they all learn (as everyone does at some point) fairness in life is often just wishful thinking.

The Orphanage’s narrative is character based, focusing both on the acting and dialogue of its young protagonist. Christian Goodwin is present in just about every scene, essentially carrying the entire film. Despite being a newcomer to acting, Christian manages to portray the fragile nature of his character in a stellar manner and his screen presence is enough reason for people to view this film. In fact, his performance outshines that of just about every adult actor in The Orphanage.

The finale felt a bit rushed while, at the same time, quite anticipated. Despite the abundance of negative online reviews, I believe that the film’s rite-of-passage narrative and the acting of the young protagonist justifies the spending of one’s time and I don’t hesitate to recommend the film to fans of the Coming-of-Age genre. I failed to completely understand the plot at times – the fact that ambiguousness (what really happens with the kids in Milwood?) may be welcomed by some audiences who like to interpret events in their own manner.

The Orphanage /Milwood Trailer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2181778/combined

TheSkyKid.com

TheSKyKid.com