Rent It All Starts Today (1999)

So near the edge - It All Starts Today review by GPH

An idealistic teacher faces grim conditions. Children of kindergarten age are usually in frame, or if not, just have been and about to be again. And Tavernier takes the threads of his story at his usual lesuired pace. One could accordingly expect 113 minutes of consistent gloom and sentimentality. But this is Tavernier. His narratives are all, without exception, compelling and convincing, directed and filmed in almost documentary style. Situations emerge, reach a crisis and resolve with complete naturalness. One never feels that one's being told what to think and feel. (Watch it with others and you'll find that though all are involved none will read the film in the same way.) The mis-en-scene, the acting and above all, the unerring assurance of Tavernier's direction are quite masterly. (Watch it with others and no-one, for nearly two hours, will move a muscle.) By the end, you'll feel that you've really been there, having travelled through just about all the emotions there are. A totally satisfying film.