So
during a French movie watching thing we had going on (because of me), the roomies and I watched a movie called Le Fils or The Son. Nobody liked it except me. Becca and Genevieve were thinking, "What is this crap of a movie!" I couldn't find the words to defend it (because I'm Mexcian...jk), and after writing a review on it for my French & Italian Cinema class (FREN/ITAL 217), I think I can finally present my case. I don't think the review I wrote completely or most adequately represents what I think of the film or why I liked it, but it's better than nothing.
Le Fils (France., 2002) 
From the very beginning, the main character Olivier shows a strong interest in a boy. The reason for this interest is not known until it is revealed by Olivier’s ex-wife and mother of their late son. The film presents the simple yet complicated story of a man meeting and interacting with his son’s murderer. Unlike the killers presented in other films, the murderer is another boy and not a typical troubled or malevolent man. She asks Olivier a question which any good viewer would ask; why has he taken in Francis? What are his intentions? A long pause later I find out that he doesn’t know either.
I was eager to know as well why Olivier easily interacted with Francis. It hit me at some point that Olivier had an unsatisfied curiosity about the character of his son’s killer. He had questions for him which I asked myself as well; why did he kill the boy? How does he feel about it? How is it possible for a child to become a murderer? There are so many reasons that come to mind but the Dardenne brothers show how it may be less complicated than one thinks.
The Dardennes amazingly step away from the much exploited theme of revenge and instead present a story of forgiveness through an untraditional style of film. Olivier Gourmet’s acting was very simple and neutral which was a necessary balance for the emotionally charged situation. Any emotional expression could have been too much.
The same goes for Morgan Marinne who plays Francis. There was little or no emotional expression from his part as well. Both characters expressed neutrality, from their looks, movements, and voice. In the film, Francis says that it’s a shame that he spend five years in prison, but he doesn’t realize what he’s done. It occupies his mind and he feels guilty about it, but he doesn’t fully understand the impact this had on another person, the boy’s father.
The Dardenne brothers do an incredible job with Le Fils of portraying exceptional circumstances in such a simple way that makes the whole story believable. The simplicity of the film’s presentation is one of the many aspects that empower it. Jean- Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s choice of style and actors is another credit to them. The actors appropriately bring to life two characters that are terribly lonely; each troubled by a death. However, the death of Olivier’s son unexpectedly brings together the father and his killer who then becomes a son.
And there you have it. I later talked to my professor about it and he pointed out how it has strong Christian symbolisms and undertone like the fact that Olivier is a carpenter, and the whole story revolves around sin and forgiveness. He also mentioned how the movie poster is symbolic for Christ bearing the cross. Christ bears that burden and Francis bears the burden of had taken someone's life. I found a separate review on the film and I liked this particular paragraph.
“Now you must absolutely stop reading and go see the film. Walk out of the house today, tonight, and see it, if you are open to simplicity, depth, maturity, silence, in a film that sounds in the echo-chambers of the heart. "The Son" is a great film. If you find you cannot respond to it, that is the degree to which you have room to grow. I am not being arrogant; I grew during this film. It taught me things about the cinema I did not know.”
-Roger Ebert
Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 88% on the Tomatometer and the consensus was "Austere, finely crafted, and compelling."
I realize it is a tough movie to watch, but it was worth it. At least for me it was.
