The Childhood of a Leader

Actor Brady Corbet's first directing effort is inspired by the titular 1939 short story by Jean-Paul Sartre. The narrative is set in France during the post-World War I period, where an American diplomat (Liam Cunningham) and his German wife (Bérénice Bejo)--neither identified with names--have arrived to take part in negotiations that will culminate in the Treaty of Versailles. The couple take up residence in a leased country chateau, along with their young son Prescott (Tom Sweet), a problematic child whose outbursts often occur when people mistake him for a girl due to his long hair and foppish clothing (the film is actually divided into three sections called “tantrums,” based on Prescott's unruly behavior). While Prescott's parents continue their authoritarian approach to child-raising, the youngster's actions become increasingly violent towards playmates (including a rock-throwing fury during a Nativity play) and adults (a nurse is manhandled by the child). The problem with The Childhood of a Leader is that the story's symbolic efforts to mirror the rise of fascism in the aftermath of World War I become painfully obvious early on, merely adding a lack of subtlety to a portrait of an obnoxious child run amok. Adding to the confusion is the presence of Robert Pattinson in two roles. A strange and unsatisfactory work, this is not recommended. (P. Hall)