THE SON (2003) (****)

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In the beginning of the film, we are introduced to Olivier (Olivier Gourmet, READ MY LIPS), a Belgium carpenter who works at a center for troubled children. He is asked to take on another student named Francis (Morgan Marinne, THE SEXUAL LIFE OF THE BELGIANS), but refuses claiming that his class is full. After Francis leaves, Olivier follows after the boy and watches him and the film allows us to discover the situation as things unfold naturally.

People will think ominous things throughout the film, which will keep them glued to the screen. It's amazing how well-written drama can have a viewer on the edge of their seats like a thriller. This film has gotten universal praise winning prizes at Cannes and making several top ten lists. It deals with a story of loss in a very natural way. Once secrets are revealed one will see that the story could have been extremely melodramatic, but the directors Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (ROSETTA) have the patience to just observe and let the audience make up their minds.

People familiar with the Dogma style from films like BREAKING THE WAVES and DANCING IN THE DARK will appreciate the style in which this film is told. You will be amazed at how such a simple story can be so powerful. The dialogue is minimal, but sometimes it is shear brilliance. Take special note to the line "I went to far" when Olivier and Francis are driving to the lumberyard. Gourmet is pitch perfect in the leading role.

There are so many things I want to praise about this film's story and characters, but it would be a crime to rob you of the pleasure of discovering the dramatic surprises this film holds. And I use surprises in the best sense of the word, not twists. This film's secrets lie within the characters like learning something new about an acquaintance that makes you're opinion of them change. As I catch up with the films of 2003, I'm seeing how good a year of movies it was. This is yet another must see from a really solid year of cinema.