Film Reviews by RB

Utterly engrossing throughout. If you enjoy being immersed in a real life with carefully crafted portrayals of relationships, you should enjoy this film. The acting is quite exceptional.

We have enjoyed films directed by Jacques Audiard before and this lived up to the reviews and his reputation. The story of a Tamil Tiger, Dheepan, washing up in a lawless estate in France with a ready made family was beautifully realised. The acting was superb and had a naturalistic feel.

The bleak backdrop of Iceland had its own beauty, rather like the relationship between the two brothers, who lived side by side but hadn't spoken to each other for 30 years. There was an understated humour which we found appealing and the characterisation and plot built in a way that kept us involved throughout.

The acting was superb.

If you like small independent films that are as far removed from Hollywood as possible, see this film.

Strongly recommended.

This was a subtle, understated film that lived up to expectations. I loved what wasn't said. The characters were expressive and their motivations and relationships well drawn.

This film may do wonders for the New Zealand tourist board but it's a pretty, feeble, predictable story with stereotypical characters, lame attempts at humour and little tension. It might go down well with 10 year old boys.