[Previous review working titles: “Tomboy – But No Sign Of Tom”; “Tomboy – Adult-Lessons or Adolescence”; “Tomboy – Not to be Confused with Ladyboy”]
Film: Tomboy
Year: 2011
Director (& Writer): Céline Sciamma
Venue: The Lexi Cinema, London
Cast:
Zoé Héran
Malonn Lévana
Jeanne Disson
Sophie Cattani
Running time: 84 minutes.
Distribution
Released & Distributed in the UK by Peccadillo Pictures – details here (and more at foot of review):
Other Info:
Preview Screening
First up. Lovely opening shots – something that French directors are good at currently – and we’re introduced to a father & his son, or is it ‘daughter’?
On to their home-life. It’s a near-perfect family or well-to-do, it would seem. The most beautiful aspect of this home life is not the family as a whole but the relationship of the two siblings. [One reminded me of the girl who plays Curly Sue in the John Hughes penned film of that name]. They play together perfectly and bond more than any two I’ve ever seen, whether that be on film or in real life.
We are soon witnessing the main child performer playing outside with a load of other kids. A beautiful & bright woodland setting. It’s hard to imagine all (or most of?) these little ones are actors. It all feels so natural. Natural amongst Nature, if you will.
Talking of natural, this main character seems to find it easy & normal to mix with the opposite sex. Due to the star’s appearance these scenes work very well, and as an audience member you’re also confused at times. You’ll keep forgetting which sex this kid is.
It’s fair to say that the story is not unpredictable in places. I’m sure you can imagine the predicaments which may ensue, and what tests such a kid might face, especially when the question of young love is posed (I’m not saying it is, that’s just a ‘for example’…) The way the film does all this though, is what makes the picture beautiful.
Again, and amongst (m)any difficult situations which occur it’s the relationship between the siblings which shines through. Not only is it touching and sweet but almost independent – independent in the way that they are there for one another, and often seem alone in their dwelling. Its clear they would pretty much do anything for one another.
[Myself growing up with a bunch of sisters, and being pretty close to them perhaps made the latter more emotional, poignant and home-hitting.]
That isn’t to say that these two never disagree. There is at least one moment when the two siblings conflict slightly and even then the situation is resolved amicably. I was worried at this point that it going to get over-dramatic and even perhaps Hollywoody, but it doesn’t.
Whether scenes with these siblings, their parents, the family as a whole or the group of youngster friends seen many times playing, we have displays of embarrassment, young adoration, fighting, child games & dilemmas.
Lastly, the movie does include a scene which made me think “What is it with French films and child or adolescent nudity?” [see Love Like Poison (Un Poison Violent) https://miniminimovie.com/2011/04/22/adolescent-to-adulation%C2%A0un-examen-film-de-jason-verney/] but I do feel it is necessary in this picture.
Overall, a beautifully sweeping, intriguing tale filled with lifelike characters and fantastic young actors. Of course, the director must have had a lot to do with the latter.
One can only begin to imagine what may be going on in such a child’s mind when facing & battling with the genes with which he’s been blessed. Genes come in all styles though, as any natural born shopper will tell you.
But seriously, it really doesn’t matter what sex one is and what he or she may prefer.
To play on the word Sex a little, go and see this movie and if it’s playing at the same venue I witnessed it in, go & get Sexi at the Lexi.
A Mini Mini Moving story of the Lexi… from their own words:
The Lexi Cinema – The UK’s First Social Enterprise Boutique Cinema
“100% of The Lexi’s profits go towards improving the quality of life for the people of Lynedoch Village in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
Every ticket, every membership you buy, every bowl of popcorn, every glass of wine and every event you hold at The Lexi goes towards making a real difference to the lives of the families at Lynedoch.”
http://thelexicinema.co.uk/ http://www.Twitter.com/TheLexiCinema http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lexi-Cinema/125411586258
And… Not forgetting…:
Mini Mini Movie (i.e. Trailer)
Find this Trailer and other Mini-er Movies here at:
http://www.youtube.com/miniminimovie
“Mini Mini Wo-Man”:
Finally…
Film Footnote – “Virally Vended”
As promised above, further details of the distributor of Tomboy are indeed below. However, before you rush to clickety-click-away I’d like to use this space to mention the recent mindless riots experienced here in the UK. Did you know that these riots caused hundreds of thousands of pounds in damages and loss to our favourite independent film distributors? These are, essentially… Arrow Films, Artifical Eye, The BFI, Crabtree Films, Cine-Asia, Dogwoof Films, Exposure Cinema, Eureka, Kaleidoscope Films, Left Films, Masters of Cinema, Metrodome Films, New Wave Films, Peccadillo Pictures, Revolver Entertainment, Showbox Home Entertainment, Terracotta, Third Window Films and Warp Films.
So, with the latter in mind it is even more important to spread the word virally about these unfortunate vendors. On that note I leave you with these links… all which will, in some way assist in keeping such films to be distributed here in the so-called land of milk & honey.
http://www.Facebook.com/PeccaPics
http://www.Twitter.com/PeccaPics
http://www.Twitter.com/AIDED_Film
Thanks for your support… in every way.
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