A fiery and convincing performance by the young Rod Paradot wasn’t enough to illuminate “Standing Tall”.
The film addresses the juvenile delinquency with hope and intensity, but the director, Emmanuelle Bercot (“On My Way”), who co-wrote with Marcia Romano, would need a more in-depth script to add something valuable to what Truffaut’s “400 Blows” and Dolan’s “Mommy” presented in regard to the same topic.
Paradot is Malony Ferrandot, a troubled, fatherless kid who was abandoned at the age of six by his immature, irresponsible, and drug addict mother, Severine, thoroughly played by Sara Forestier.
Under the care of the national protection of minors, Malony grows up infringing the laws without getting rid of his bad temper or control his turbulent emotions. He’s an assiduous presence at the Dunkerque’s juvenile court where the …show more content…
In one of the most memorable scenes of the film, Malony steals a car and drives like crazy with his childish mother and little brother laughing on the backseat.
At the age of 17, he agrees to attend an educational program in a remote special facility. There, the atmosphere can be hostile among the delinquents, but he discovers Tess (Diane Rouxel), his teacher’s daughter who, nurturing a sincere fondness for him, becomes decisive in a miraculous transformation.
Regardless the convenient positivism, the social nature of the drama alternates between the acceptable and the mediocre.
Mrs. Bercot’s muscled scenes are quite effective, however, their developments are scarcely satisfying, showcasing trifling situations drawn from a script that’s not totally devoid of clichés.
Disappointingly, “Standing Tall” can only be cautiously recommended, having in the creditable performances its strongest
The film addresses the juvenile delinquency with hope and intensity, but the director, Emmanuelle Bercot (“On My Way”), who co-wrote with Marcia Romano, would need a more in-depth script to add something valuable to what Truffaut’s “400 Blows” and Dolan’s “Mommy” presented in regard to the same topic.
Paradot is Malony Ferrandot, a troubled, fatherless kid who was abandoned at the age of six by his immature, irresponsible, and drug addict mother, Severine, thoroughly played by Sara Forestier.
Under the care of the national protection of minors, Malony grows up infringing the laws without getting rid of his bad temper or control his turbulent emotions. He’s an assiduous presence at the Dunkerque’s juvenile court where the …show more content…
In one of the most memorable scenes of the film, Malony steals a car and drives like crazy with his childish mother and little brother laughing on the backseat.
At the age of 17, he agrees to attend an educational program in a remote special facility. There, the atmosphere can be hostile among the delinquents, but he discovers Tess (Diane Rouxel), his teacher’s daughter who, nurturing a sincere fondness for him, becomes decisive in a miraculous transformation.
Regardless the convenient positivism, the social nature of the drama alternates between the acceptable and the mediocre.
Mrs. Bercot’s muscled scenes are quite effective, however, their developments are scarcely satisfying, showcasing trifling situations drawn from a script that’s not totally devoid of clichés.
Disappointingly, “Standing Tall” can only be cautiously recommended, having in the creditable performances its strongest