esrosedotblog

Andre Techine's award winning drama about coming of age, thwarted love and the value of friendship.

Les roseaux sauvages / Wild Reeds 1995

Three teens sort of in love with each other, one a budding gay boy, learn that it isn't so much the physical thing that is important as the deeper meaning of friendship. They move through the necessary experiences with each other and a third boy who brings an outsider's view of the situation, a bit alien. But he breaks up the logjam of feeling for all of them.

Also mixed in is the confusion of the period in which France is withdrawing from Algeria.

This is a little difficult for us to understand, this kind of civil war between France the country and the French Algerians who feel betrayed. The outside boy is from such an expat family.

Some think that this is the best of Techine's films but I don't roll that way, best, not best. It is a fine film and is a beautiful (the scenery, the kids) capstone of Techine's work. The best? Maybe but it all adds up. I think they call it his oeuvre but I try not to use the word.

Each individual stands on its own. And they are quite different.

I have seen this one several times. The young actors capture the mood of detachment mixed with passion just right. They may not be having sex with one another but they move on and keep the part that is working which is a rather huge portion of their love for one another.

It would be nice if all gay and straight boys as well as the uncommitted girls who love them could see this. It would uncomplicate enough of their lives to give them great satisfaction.

A 5 out of Netflix5.

Labels: films