The Kid with a Bike

Noted Belgian sibling filmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's The Kid with a Bike is a remarkable contemporary neo-realist drama, a quietly devastating but gently hopeful portrait of a boy abandoned by his father but given a second chance for a family by an unassuming but innately decent young woman. Cyril (an intense, vulnerable performance by ‘tween Thomas Doret) has been placed in an orphanage outside a working-class Belgian town by his father, Guy (Jérémie Renier). Although assured that his stay would be a short one, Cyril nevertheless will break any rule and take any risk to escape and reunite with his dad. But on one of his treks outside he discovers that his father has simply moved. Before he's taken back, Cyril literally bumps into Samantha (Cécile de France), a hairdresser. As he clings to her while counselors try to pull him away, Samantha reacts not with fear but rather straightforward concern, which leads her to become his foster guardian, mounting a supportive, determined effort to help Cyril face reality and control his anger. The film's unaffected naturalism brings genuine emotional force to this tale of a boy traumatized by a damaged childhood, while also underscoring the fact of how strong a simple act of kindness can be. Without preaching, the Dardennes have once again delivered a social message both poignant and intensely relevant. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a conversation between film critic Kent Jones and filmmakers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (73 min.), a "Return to Seraing" location segment (34 min.), interviews with costars Cécile de France (19 min.) and Thomas Doret (6 min.), a trailer, and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Geoff Andrew. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a powerful drama.] (F. Swietek)