Synopsis:

A delinquent struggling to do what he is expected to do in society. However, a lot of people remain to help him get a regular life- free of anger and violence. The question is will he make it in time?

Film Review:

The film solely focuses on a hot-tempered teenager named Maloney (Rod Paradot) and his life story.  Since he was just a toddler, his mother Séverine ( Sara Forestier) who can barely look after herself, has already abandoned him and branded him as a monster while dropping him off the judge’s office. Judge Florence Blaque (Catherine Deneuve) has somewhat adopted Maloney; she kept an eye on him until he was a teenager. Despite his carjacking schemes, driving without a license multiple times, as well as his violent behaviour, the judge seems to be quite forgiving and sympathetic towards Maloney. She then gives him multiple chances to avoid going to jail, instead of a facility for juvenile delinquents which provides education, support and therapy for teenagers like Maloney.

Unfortunately, things still get out of hand and Maloney still gets in trouble despite him seeing a girl he met in the facility. Her name is Tess (Diane Rouxel) she is a daughter of one of the Social Workers who teaches in the facility. Tess did not entirely change Maloney, but she did manage to give him something to look forward to in life.

Maloney eventually got to prison for stealing a car and taking his younger brother out of the foster home he was in and to make matters worst, they got into an accident. This behaviour was the last straw for Judge Florence, she then decides to put Maloney in prison as what the prosecutor has advised. Maloney did get out of jail after his sentence- in time to meet his son. The ending doesn’t say how Maloney will be, but it shows that for the first time he is not taking his and his kid’s future for granted.

The film is compelling at some level, however not entirely. There were moments where Maloney was just plainly a hot head, and it was never really explained why he was so violent. Regardless, everyone remained very supportive of him, and this somewhat brought a bit of confusion to what is the essence of the story. There is that question of is it, Maloney, who is asking for help or if the whole system is not actually helping but just want to get the work done.  As well as the question of privilege, as to where the line should be drawn.

The handheld camera technique gives the audience a perspective of being an observer. To observe the system and what makes it work and not work. There is also that part of being an observer where the audience gets to see everything but is limited to observing which was kind of interesting to experience in a film that is intense like this.

Overall, the film is compelling enough to be entirely absorbed into Maloney’s life and his journey. It also delivers a lot of thinking and contemplation as an audience, making the film engaging and enthralling as a drama. With excellent performances especially from Maloney and Judge Florence. Both gave life to this intensely dramatic film.

Now showing as part of the Alliance Francaise (French Film Festival). In Auckland, it’s showing from March 2- 22, 2017.