penelopeessence

From main characters to small cameos, the acting in The Lesson is excellent, with an understated but seriously dangerous loan shark, a layabout husband who is nevertheless wonderful with the family's small child, and even nuanced bank clerks. However, I can only rate it 4 because this feels like a 30 minute short story that has been slowly and excruciatingly dragged out way beyond its natural length. I wasn't aware before watching that it is based on a true story but weirdly, some of the real moments of action are not even shown and it is the build up and constant journeying around the area - by coach, car, and on foot) that appear endless. Having watched the trailer, don't be misled into thinking that the action is typical. The trailer is, of course genuine, but it feels as though another trailer would have completed the story.