Mystère: Victorias geheimnisvoller Freund

Scenario: the small town of Cantal in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France's central plateau and its scarcely populated environs. The characters are Victoria, an eight year old whose mother has recently died, Stéphane, her father and Thierry, her mother's brother. Victoria is deeply affected by her mother's death and refuses (or is unable) to speak, Stéphane has moved with Victoria to an old and neglected farmhouse near Cantal, property of the family and formerly used as a summer house. He and Thierry hope that the relocation will help Victoria heal. That actually happens in a way via a puppy of unknown origin that an old farmer lets Victoria adopt. The script is based on a real story where the real Virginia was three years old.

If this movie belongs to a genre it would be that of intelligent children's movies that grownups will can also enjoy, like John Sayles' The Secret of Roan Innis. As a story, it compares to the quality books my generation (and maybe the next) read as children such as Jack London's White Fang. Within its aims, the movie totally succeeds. Acting is good all around, and the cinematography of Fabrizio Fontemaggi immerses us unobtrusively in the beautiful Auvergne landscapes, both summer and winter. Script by director and (four) collaborators is lively and witty, with some hints about each character's past. Direction is smooth and fluid. The wolves are real and amazingly natural in front of the camera (one is tempted to say they are good actors). And, finally, we learn something about wolf packs and the interface people/wolves in France. Surviving wolves are just a few hundred and hunting them is illegal, a situation that doesn't suit sheep farmers, A quality movie.

I see lots of bad reviews, but I think maybe people don't understand.

First, this is inspired by a true story and meant to be a family film.

Second, I watched it in French, and I can see how a dubbed version could fall flat.

I felt the writing and acting were perfectly fine.

I also appreciated how it explored the many facets of societal issues.

But the best part, for me, was the visual aspect. It was simply magnificent!

Simple story with great views and the wolves are beautiful and amazing!! Did not find anything wrong with the story as I'm a believer that animals and humans can have really strong bonds! Enjoy it!

For those who seem to give this movie bad reviews for "acting and voiceovers", you may find it more enjoyable to watch in the original language.

The only problem I have with this movie is that its very obviously a wolf pup. The child thinking it's a dog is passable but an adult man not recognizing it as a wolf is a little harder to believe.

But as a sucker for movies about people with bonds with animals, it was enjoyable to watch.

The land is gorgeous, the wolf pup adorable, the pack magnificent. But the human film makers never show the actual care and feeding of this pup. She brings it home in a bag, hides it in a cupboard, never gives it food or water or training etc etc. Raising wild animals is far more than idyllic catch and release.