Rating: 
Summary: Sexual coming of ager
Review: The slightly loose and episodic feel of this charming coming-of-ager doesn't matter because the characters and the conflicts are so well presented that we are enthralled throughout.Three boys on the verge of manhood (with the French-Algerian conflict smoldering in the background) are in residence at a boarding school in the south of France in 1962. One is gay, the second is bi-sexual and the third is straight. Through their interactions we (and they) discover their sexuality. Francois Forestier, played attractively by Gael Morel, is gay as he discovers one night when Serge Bartolo (Stephane Rideau), an athletic schoolmate with a natural style, awakens his sexuality by seducing him. For Serge it is just a school age sexual adventure; for Francois it is love so intense he is transformed. The third boy, Henri Mariana, who is from Algeria, is a little older and a little more cynical. He finds heterosexual love with his enemy, Maité Alverez, who is a hated communist. Elodie Bouchez, whom I recall from The Dreamlife of Angels (1998) for which she shared a Cannes Best Actress award, plays Maité whose style is earnest, witty and brave. As it happens I was in France during the period of this film, and a teenager as well. The Algerian conflict haunted the young men because as soon as they were of age they could be sent away to fight. Also the Communist Party was strong in France and an attraction to some who opposed what they saw as French colonialism in Algeria and Vietnam. Director André Téchiné who characteristically explores human sexuality in his films (e.g., Rendez-Vous (1985) with a young and vital Juliette Binoche; Le lieu du crime (1986) with Catherine Deneuve; and Ma Saison Préférée (1993) also starring Catherine Deneuve) attempts to integrate these larger issues into his film but I don't think is entirely successful. Serge's older brother is killed in Algeria and his teacher blames herself for not helping him to escape his military service and suffers a nervous breakdown. However this story is not well-connected with the rest of the film. Also more could have been done with the divergent views of Maité and Henri. What I loved was the club scene where suddenly the French girls are twisting to Chubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again" which propelled me back to 1962 when indeed the Twist was all the rage in France. What makes this film superior is the warm and truthful way in which the sexual awakenings are realized. The kids seem absolutely real and the dialogue is sharp and authentic. Morel is very winning. I especially liked the earnest way he confronts and then accepts his sexuality. Interesting was the scene in which he seeks out the shoe salesman whom he knows is gay for his advice on how he should cope with unrequited homosexual love. This is a film about young people for open-minded adults attractively done. For many it will strike a strong cord of recognition.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the most subtle French movie in several years
Review: The subject might seem uninteresting at first, but the drama is extremely well built, the action never goes slow. The young actors are excellent and editing is admirable.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful movie, Talented cast
Review: This enagaging coming-of-age French movie revolves round a sort of unrequited/forbidden love triangle (or quadrangle?) between four adolescents at boarding school in southwest France. This 1994 multi-Cesar Awards winner made stars of its talented young cast, notably the two cute lead actors, Elodie Bouchez and Gael Morel. Who, like their characters here, are good friends also in real life and have worked together on a number of movies since. For me, the intimate-yet-platonic relationship as "best friends" Francois and Maite is really frustrating. As in my opinion they make such a cute couple. (Luckily, Gael and Elodie make amends for this by jumping into bed together in "Le Plus Bel Age", the film they acted in together after this one.) Anyway, by the end of this movie, you feel like you have grown up a little bit with these young teenagers, and a sense that their innocent age has passed by. The soundtrack is also nice, with Johann Strauss's Voices of Spring waltz, Barber's Adagio for Strings and some well-known 1960s American pop music. And thank goodness this video keeps the original French language soundtrack, especially as subtleties and expression of dialogue always get lost in translation.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST have glimpse at the innocence and discovery of youth.
Review: This film carries you along the journey from the innocence of youth to the beauty of first time (...) discovery. It's captivating to empathize with the boys as they struggle through their socially deviant (...) attraction for their young classmates. The film is set in a boys school in picturesque southern France and stars the gorgeous and exceptionally talented Stéphane Rideau and Gaël Morel. The DVD is high quality however you can't remove the subtitles. A must have.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Flick
Review: This film is great... engrossing, compassionate, well-acted, sensual, realistic, and believable. Excellent acting, directing, and editing make for a memorable film.
Rating:
Summary: Great Film-shoddy transfer
Review: This is a modern classic of French Cinema. The transfer is beyond shoddy. I could not believe my eyes. What a shame. Not the
first time Fox has botched it.
Rating:
Summary: Just so beautiful
Review: This is much more than a gay coming-of-age story, although if that's what you want you won't be disappointed. Wild Reeds speaks to anyone who has ever grown up. In fact, it might just be the film embodiment of the word "bittersweet." Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: Great film, but Worst conditon DVD
Review: This is one of Best French film in '90, needless to say... But this DVD is terrible or WORST.
Film Ratio must 1:66, but this is full frame.
English subtitle couldn't remove.
No production notes (they say it has, but it's just some Cast & Crew List).
Jeanne Lapoirie's stunning photography was uncleared,
and impossible to read end credit...
This title also released in Japan as DVD, it's not best but better than this.. I hope it will be re-issue or release from another company...
Rating: 
Summary: Interesing but it leaves you wanting more
Review: This movie is a great exploration of the expirimentation of sexuality among teenagers in a small town atmosphere. This movie jusmps around a lot and you never know where it is going and sometimes you don't know where it has been.
Rating:
Summary: Wild Reeds is a compelling film that puts Modernism...
Review: Wild Reeds is a compelling film that puts Modernism in perspective. The movie touches on the spirit of French adolescents in a time of utter chaos- a time of absurdity. With vivid scenery and a talented cast, this movie is a must see for serious students and movie freaks alike!
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