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It's worth considering another moral aspect of this film. Viewers are unlikely to find themselves in situations as desperate as Bruno's, but they are very likely to encounter people like him. Films like L'Enfant can cause us to question our assumptions about the people we hardly stop to notice. Is it too much to hope that a film might provoke us to greater compassion for those who lack the education, the opportunity, and the understanding that many of us have been given?

1. Who is "l'enfant" of the title?
   
   
2. How does Bruno interact with others? What motivates him? What kind of family experience has shaped Bruno?
   
   
3. What motivates Sonia? Why do you think she was drawn to Bruno?
   
   
4. Does Bruno have a conscience? How do you know? Where do you see it affecting him?
   
   
5. What do Bruno and Sonia need in their lives? Are they likely to find it?
   
   
6. Are Bruno and Sonia entirely at fault for their behavior? What factors have influenced their development?

This film deserves its R rating for Bruno's harsh language and his criminal community.

© Jeffrey Overstreet 2006, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

Bruno is a not-so-juvenile delinquent whose life is all about transactions—especially illegal ones. Everything in his life is a matter of money, and his cell phone is the key that opens doors to dangerous endeavors. How can a man like that manage as a father? That's what his girlfriend Sonia wonders, now that she's out of the hospital with their new baby in tow. And it doesn't take long for Bruno to make a spectacular show of his heartlessness.

With L'Enfant (The Child), Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne have crafted their fourth masterpiece. It's a story about conscience, responsibility, and family. It betrays no preaching, politicizing, or prejudice, but sticks to artful observation, respecting the viewer's intelligence and ability to discern its themes. This vision of human behavior is so authentic and convincing, it often feels like a hidden-camera documentary. Nothing is heavy-handed, sentimental, or gratuitous—in each scene, everything belongs and contributes to what the film can mean.

The two central characters, Bruno and Sonia, are played by supremely talented young actors—Jérémie Renier and Déborah François. It's fast-paced, intense, and wraps up with an unforgettable conclusion.

Did I mention the nerve-wracking car chase?

L'Enfant is one of the most artful and memorable films you'll see this year. My full review is at Christianity Today Movies.

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