Wild Reeds

Rating:
Summary: 'Wild Reeds' bends and does not break!
Review: For cinema buffs, this film is probably Andre Techine's best (although 'Thieves' comes close). Released in 1994, the movie won four Cesar Awards, including Best Picture.

That said, it's a great film anyway! Techine incredibly evokes--and captures--the landscape and atmosphere, the tonal integrity, the dynamic symmetry of the French countryside, his actors, and time sequence in a way that few can. Certainly, this film is a tribute to film-making, regardless of nationality.

Set in 1962 when all France was abuzz and alerted to the Algerian war and crisis, Techine micromanages the time/place/conflict into a boarding school setting. And while, indeed, it is a "coming of age" story in good form, cinema as art is not lost on Techine (nor generally the French!).

Featuring praiseworthy performances of Iodie Bouchez and Gael Morel, the film dwells on, but not exclusively, their relationship--which is not without its trauma, drama, and poignancy. The two boys

acknowledge their deep-rooted relationship, which is beauty itself. Unfortunately, love does not conquer all, as the romanticists would have us believe (and the vicious politics of the time rears its ugly head too often). Clearly, Techine's juxtaposition of their relationship--sexual and otherwise--is beautifully and sensitively done. The soundtrack, too, is worthy of praise (even the American pop music lends to the film's credence). Viva la France. And Techine.

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Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and sensual.
Review: For non French speaking viewers who would like to purchase this DVD, let me warn you that it is a French movie in audio with English subtitles. Regardless of this drawback, the movie is beautiful in its entirety. The focus on Wild Reeds is a young man's ambivalence of his sexuality who resembles the movie's main title. Wild Reeds is a clean story of a young man's homosexual desires with a French Algerian which I think in those times is difficult. But the interaction of inner thoughts and strong feelings among the characters of the movie is very enjoyable. Wild Reeds is not about love, but a close friendship that builds through one's discovery and acceptance of oneself. The movie is a bit boring, quiet and slow when characters are not exchanging dialogue. But the English subtitles keeps you alert. Regardless of the past customer reviews, I gave Wild Reeds 4 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous, Hot, Moving, Supurb
Review: I could of died and went to heaven with a upmost sensation after watching this foreign flick. The top most... realistic, dramatic movies of all time, even if you don't speak or understand the French language. Believe me buy watching this movie you know what this movie is about. I am not too keen about subtitled flicks, having to read while I watch, but this movie chaged my mind about all foreign flicks.... Supurb and 20 stars to Andr'e T'echin'e for a remarkable film. I see why it had won the Best Foreign Film -- its definately no lie...

Rating:
Summary: Good film, Good acting and a nice story.
Review: I enjoyed this film a great deal. I wish it had not been a french film because I felt a bit was lost trying to read subtitles and watch the acting at the same time. It would had recieved five stars if it had been in english.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful!
Review: I first came across this captivating french film by serendipity a few years ago, and boy was i glad i did. Beautiful cinematography, thoughtfully directed, and above all powerful ensemble acting by an attractive young cast of unknowns (as they were then).

The storyline has been adequately covered by previous reviewers, so I won't repeat it. Not that there is a "plot" as such; it's more of following the emotional developments of these teenage characters during this vulnerable period in their lives, of innocence lost, something all of us can relate to in some way. As Techiné says, this is a film about adolescence; it's about tears, and first steps into a sexual and political awakening. There are several poignant and touching scenes in the movie, such as when Francois gazes into a mirror repeating to himself, "je suis un pedé, je suis un pedé"; or when he steals a moment of secret bliss riding together with Serge on his bike (to the strains of Barber's Adagio for Strings).
And like real life, there is no neat conclusions here either - life goes on and the youngsters walk off into whatever the future may hold.

Gaël Morel - who left home aged 15 to pursue film studies in Lyons, and met Techiné in Paris after sending him repeated fan letters - is for me the most impressive actor as François, the handsome, shy, sensitive, sexually confused intellectual kid around who the story revolves. Morel clearly enjoyed playing the role and the chance to work with his idol, saying in an interview, "I adored this character François... And to work with Techiné was such a happiness, something magic."

Morel, Bouchez and Rideau all bring a freshness to their roles as the 3 core 'reeds' François, Maite and Serge. There is a sense of unspoken intimacy between them, which works very well in their portrayal of their characters' unrequited love triangle. Techiné said he and his actors formed a surrogate family on set -- and the chemistry between them carries over into the film. The three principal actors obviously got on very well with each other, and have worked together in other films since. (Most recently this year in Techiné's new film "Loin" , where interestingly Stéphane Rideau and Gaël Morel are again cast as characters called Serge and François!)

The cinematography of the french countryside is beautiful, with frequent panning effects like reeds swaying gently in the wind. Gorgeous!

Just a whine about the disk production though -- the picture and sound quality isn't too great for a DVD - which makes me wonder if it was produced from a VHS copy. But don't let that detract from what in my opinion is an absolutely lovable little movie and certainly well worth watching - it might land a place in your affections as it has mine.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a great movie
Review: If you usually shy away from sub title movies (I do)DONT! . This movie really does rate a 5 star. The acting and content are truly worth any inconvenience of sub titles. Outstanding performance by the 2 lead characters. Much more than just a coming of age or coming out movie. You will not forget this movie in a hurry.

Rating:
Summary: Parfait!
Review: In a powerful film about the realities of growing up, the director (Andre Techine) captures all that these four teenagers experience and weaves a rich tapestry of emotion and truth. Superbly acted and beautifully produced, Wild Reeds is something to talk about, it is perfect

Rating:
Summary: Definitely Good!
Review: My favorite movie. Definitely worth seeing. I bet you will never regret.

Rating:
Summary: It goes where "Jules and Jim" didn't dare
Review: One girl and three guys--it does J&J one better. I always wondered why Jules and Jim bothered with "the girl" at all when they were obviously one another's true soul mates. Although WILD REEDS is not a gay film, it does have one gay character who has a couple of classmates who seem to be either bisexual or open to experimentation. The four adolescent leads in this movie are struggling with their sense of being an outsider, which seems to be a universal for boys and girls, straights and gays alike. At the same time that they are trying to come to terms with their sexual natures, they are developing a sense of their place in the world. Each of them is affected by the political issues of their day (the war in Algeria), the struggle against authoritarian school teachers, and the expectations of their families. What I found appealing about the way the characters were portrayed and developed is that each one seems to receive equal treatment, has an equal share of grief and confusion, and is equally susceptible to normal human foibles. To wish that the story lines were more resolved at the end of the film would be to ask that this thoughtful little movie be something it was not meant to be--a splashy, big-budget Hollywood film totally ungrounded in human reality.

Rating:
Summary: A beautiful masterpiece-Gael Morel charming
Review: ONE OF THE BEST FILM EVER THAT CAME OUT OF FRANCE. A WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT!!! gAEL IS BREATHTAKING IN THIS MOVIE!

cATCH HIM IN HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT IN "full speed"