The Hedgehog

Director Mona Achache's affecting adaptation of Muriel Barbery's bestselling novel The Elegance of the Hedgehog stars Garance Le Guillermic as Paloma, an 11-year-old with artistic tendencies, who lives with her mother, father, and older sister in a "rich person's apartment." As Paloma films her family with her dad's camcorder, her first-person narration reveals the depth of her disdain for these bourgeois, over-medicated individuals (although she can be equally condescending and truculent). The way Paloma sees it, "life is absurd" and "nothing has meaning," so she plans to kill herself when she turns 12. This stereotypically French affectation sets the plot in motion, as Paloma begins talking to building concierge Renée (comedienne Josiane Balasko in a strong dramatic turn), whom she finds far more interesting. A widow, Renée would rather read books, hang out with her cat, and eat chocolate than socialize. When an elderly tenant passes away, Japanese widower Kakuro Ozu (Togo Igawa)—who shares Renée's affection for Tolstoy—moves into the vacated flat. Paloma describes the prickly Renée to Kakuro as a "hedgehog," although the latter suspects she has a softer side, and solicits Renée's companionship (which, in turn, encourages her to spiff up her drab image). As Renée gradually comes out of her shell, Paloma learns to drop a few of her own pretenses. A smart, powerful coming-of-age film, this is highly recommended. (K. Fennessy)