Les Cowboys

John Ford's 1956 classic The Searchers receives a modern updating in the first half of Thomas Bidegain's intriguing drama, as a father obsessed with tracking down his daughter—who went off with her Muslim boyfriend—compels his son to join him in his mission. The title comes from the fact that Alain (François Damiens) is a devotee of Western-themed fairs, which is where his teenaged daughter Kelly suddenly disappears in 1995. Although the girl sends him a letter asking that he not look for her, Alain is undeterred, spending years in following up every lead, and forcing his son Georges (Finnegan Oldfield) to accompany him (until the young man finally refuses). After 9/11, however, Georges takes up his father's mission, and the second half of the film follows him to Afghanistan, where he links up with an American mercenary (John C. Reilly) in hopes of locating Kelly's boyfriend. Georges's search ultimately leads him to Shazhana (Ellora Torchia), a lovely young Pakistani woman, and the discovery of what happened to his sister. Along the way, Bidegain includes numerous touches that link his film to Ford's, while also serving up a parable about combating hatred and prejudice. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extra include a “making-of” featurette (35 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a thought-provoking French Western.] (F. Swietek)