107. Other People's Children (Les enfants des autres); movie review

 

OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN (LES ENFANTS DES AUTRES)

Cert 15

104 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong sex

When we were growing up, split or blended families were incredibly rare. Indeed, I can't recall anyone at school who wasn't in a conventional family unit.

Several decades later, the divorce rate is more than 40 per cent.

Therefore, many people find themselves in the position of 40-year-old Rachel (Virginie Efira) - a single school teacher who has no children of her own but effectively becomes step-mother to her boyfriend's daughter.

This is a very personal picture for director Rebecca Zlotowski as it is said to have been based on her own experience.

And she brings the very best out of her lead as Efira completely convinces as a woman who spends her life with other people's children while regretting not having her own.

Rachel is deeply in love with her boyfriend Ali (Roschdy Zem) who has joint custody with his estranged wife (Chiara Mastroianni) of their five-year-old, Leila (Callie Ferreira-Goncalve).

After a sticky start, the little girl becomes used to the arrangement and a strong bond grows with new adult in her life.

Meanwhile, Rachel becomes increasingly more enthusiastic in her role as step-mum.

Her problem is that she knows she will always be second fiddle to her biological parents - a situation mirrored in the classroom and with her soon-to-be born niece.

Other People's Children is an intimate portrayal of a woman who gives the impression of having missed the boat.

But there are many touching moments and even amusing ones.

And, for those who enjoy the French movie-makers penchant for sex and nudity, there are plenty of scenes of pretty people rolling around in the altogether.

Reasons to watch: Pretty people and an important subject

Reasons to avoid: Doesn't have enough punch

Laughs: None

Jumps: Yes

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? Of the 14 million children under 18 living in a family in France in 2018, 11% were living in a blended family.

The final word. Rebecca Zlotowski: "I wrote Other People’s Children with a desire to address a solidarity letter to child-free women and as a child-free woman myself." Filmmaker

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