Playground

Affecting portrait of a nightmare school yard is almost a little too overstated at times to work as effective drama, with Wandel’s screenplay striking an uneasy balance between literal depiction and LORD OF THE FLIES style allegory, which gives the more extreme moments a theatricality that almost undermine their impact (the finale, while a shocker, doesn’t quite ring true). Still definitely worthwhile for Vanderbeque’s authentic, understated and measured performance.

Wandel imagines the schoolyard as a harsh and unforgiving place, to the point where the course of events can't help but come across as deliberate and overwhelmingly theatrical as they seem better suited for a prison drama directed by the likes of Jacques Audiard and less a kids one. I guess you can count that as somewhat of a praise, because it is well directed and Maya Vanderbeque gives a knockout performance as Nora but its almost obsessive quest for realism didn't always work in its favor.

This is quite a powerful film, even quietly devastating in a way, about the impact and implications of childhood bullying. Its hard not to feel for both Nora and her dad, as well as her brother Abel. Imagining myself in Nora's shoes, I'm not sure what I'd do differently. It seemed very realistic and its certainly insightful. A good film for starting a discussion about school bullying, I'd recommend this, yes.

Tough to watch and made in the same way as 'Son of Saul' with very close camerawork. Let's just the say school yard is no pretty place.

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Realistic depiction of school bullying. But all this realism combined with a meandering and faint focus made me think, "So, what is the point you are trying to get at?".

forte, a menina é sensacional

The camerawork draws us in, and the protagonist's interactions with the kind teacher are also very effective. Overall, it's a movie that I would highly recommend but I found that the potential impact was lessened by a plot development at the end that, while conceptually sound, didn't ring as true as the rest of the film for me.

While the film's subject matter is difficult, it is executed with skill and sensitivity, making it an effective and thought-provoking piece. The visual storytelling and editing are particularly impressive, and the film's short runtime ensures that it never overstays its welcome. This is an impressive debut from director Laura Wandel that leaves a lasting impression.

A sympathetically shot, moving story of social rejection and it's wake. Tears were shed, lots of tears.