Shéhérazade

This French movie is right in the modern fashion way of filming that we see since a dozen years now. A feature which looks like the real life, for instance as people really talk in actual situations, not as like in usual movies. This is about a petty thug, just released from jail, and who falls in love with a petty Hooker. Moving story, very simple, and only enhanced b this terrific true life dialogues. But the lead character seems a little annoying although.

I'm not really one for love stories, but this one has an edge and tells a good street-story. Definitely worth watching.

What worked: The movie is as real as it can get; characters are not as black and white as we see in the movies. It's a well executed movie piece with characters with more than a linear life story. Each had their own story, their struggles and hardship. It's an enjoyable watch, and a well climaxed story. As a movie viewer from a different language, it's a treat. What did not work: Maybe some parts of the story could have been garnished and well explained. The movie leaves some plotholes. On the other hand the characters and stories are not glorified because maybe they wanted to show the characters and the narrative in the gray area; not exactly explaining things. Final verdict: recommended

I write while I'm moved after seeing this great movie. A jewel of modern neo-realism very well done, editing, photography, dialogues and above all the performance of the young protagonist are really excellent. The gangster story in the first two acts is really tense, moreover full of desolation and misery. The surprising and courageous ending, on the other hand, tightens the heart and leaves room for true love against all expectations, against the will of all, at the high price of suffering the consequent repercussions. A redemption that proves to be the only way out. the salvation that projects the boy to mutation, to adult transformation.

Convincing movie where the individual love feelings face opposite social views and peer pressure. The story unfolds in the teen Muslim community of Marseilles where the social security network fails exposing their youth to drug, crime, prostitution and street violence. Throughout the movie quality, tension and events develop at an adequate pace.