Rent Dheepan (2015)

A Different, Lesser Film. - Dheepan review by griggs

For a while, this looks like a careful, patient study of a refugee family pretending their way into an ordinary life on a French housing estate. Then, somewhere past the hour mark, Jacques Audiard swaps the notebook for an action manual.

Antonythasan Jesuthasan plays it coiled and calm, like a man holding his breath. Kalieaswari Srinivasan holds her own, and the details — a new language, a fake marriage turning slowly real, a daughter working out who she’s supposed to be — land better than anything that follows. I liked watching them fake a family. The shootout after did less.

What sticks is watching these three learn how to live again. The late swing into men solving problems with guns feels like a different, lesser film.

Gripping and beautifully acted - Dheepan review by RB

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.

Moving insight into the lives of others - Dheepan review by Peter B

Fabulous story, beautifully filmed and acted. Emotionally moving script that felt authentic. The move of refugees from the frying pan into the fire. Brilliant.