krocheav I was attracted to this story by a synopsis that described it as a moving experience. In typically modern French Indi' fashion, it ambles along so slowly at times you want to run at 2 x speed. There's little to be truly moved by unless your attracted to a story about a young 12 yr old lad who steals from anyone who gives him half a chance - in order to keep his drunken, immoral mother (who looks ridiculously just a few years older than him) in food and designer clothes. Her character is never explored so we know nothing about her, making it difficult to engage with her problems. No-one seems to mind the fact the kid never seems to go to school or have any family - they just seem to accept that he hangs around the ski lodge all day, every day. With all the major thieving he constantly performs (super expensive ski equipment and clothes) it's too much to think no-one would have suspected him right off. Well acted with some OK photography this has been somewhat overrated and while it may please those who tend to look at - but don't fully examine what drives a story - it's left somewhat lacking. You may well have seen far worse but, also far better.

The_late_Buddy_Ryan Glad to see so many positive reviews of this one. It's a fascinating, powerful film about two young people—a potty-mouthed artful dodger and a soft-faced older girl he calls "frangine" ("sis")—trying to live by their wits at a Swiss ski resort. Léa Seydoux's sulky beauty makes her perfect for the role of Louise; Kacey Mottet Klein, then barely into his teens, gives an amazing performance as Simon. Didn't recognize Gillian Anderson as the Englishwoman who takes a motherly interest. The slangy (not to say skanky) dialogue may be useful to students of advanced conversational French. Ursula Meier's first feature, "Home," is a total headtrip, longer on concept than plot and reminiscent of 50s absurdist satires of modern life by Ionesco and Jacques Tati; this one has real visceral impact. Both "Sister" and "Home" are available on streaming Netflix.

Amari-Sali After seeing Blue is the Warmest Color (or Colour) I thought I should look for other films Lea Seydoux did, and months ago I was recommended to see this by someone on IMDb. So I finally got around to getting this movie, which likely will not be the last time I review a Seydoux movie, and though the movie wasn't on the level of Blue is the Warmest Color, it still was quite entertaining. Well, at least the second half.Characters & StoryIn the film, our focus primarily is on Simon (played by Kacey Mottet Klein) who helps Louise (played by Lea Seydoux) with the bills by stealing from the local ski resort's tourist and reselling their merchandise. The two live close enough to said ski resort for Simon to "find" a lot of skis, goggles, gloves, and pockets to go through, to make sure him and Louise have food on the table. And during the first half of the movie it seems like this is all Simon does as Louise wanders about with whatever boy fancies her at the time.However, in the middle of the film a bomb is dropped and quickly the tone of the film changes and it goes from having this almost coming of age vibe to getting a bit darker, and a bit more morose. I won't reveal why, but with something Simon says, we see his and Louise's relationship in a whole new way. Then, from that point of the movie onward, the focus is on the layers to that issue which, though perhaps simple on paper, are portrayed with such complexity that you almost wish this bomb was dropped sooner in the film.PraiseWhat I must admit is that I feel like the climax was quite a bit surprising and did help shake the movie. For the first half of the film was really ho hum, but once the climax hits is when you get great performances out of Klein, as well as Seydoux. As in Blue, Seydoux plays a girl full of mystery, but with her stripped of Emma's education and opportunities, Louise is simply someone trying to survive the best way she knows how, and while she doesn't outdo Klein as she outdid Adele Exarchopoulos in Blue, she remains an essential force of which you can't picture the movie without, be it her character or simply her.But Klein is perhaps truly the one who deserves praise. For though Seydoux maybe putting him up on her shoulders, the boy makes you feel for his character who seemingly just wants the most genuine love and affection from Louise, even if it means paying for it. I mean, to watch him, a 12 year old, be in a helpless situation with someone who he loves, who would openly tell him no one wanted him when his mother was pregnant, is a bit heartbreaking. And yet, the woman who tells him this he loves for there is really no one else anymore. So no matter how mean, or how much they may struggle, she is his everything and he accepts her for reasons which sometimes are hard to understand.CriticismBut, I must say that when I first started watching the movie I was ready to turn it off. Us getting to know Simon as a kleptomaniac who sells people's stuff to make ends meet, while interesting, got old quick as we watch him sell stuff, make a partner in selling skis and all that. Then, Seydoux in the beginning, to me anyway, was just this shallow written young adult who seemingly was dependent on her kid brother while she hanged around some boy. And though there was mentions of her working, we don't see that till the end so you easily forget she does more than possibly take advantage of Simon's affections for her. But, as a whole, once the 2nd half hits you can forgive the first half for it really is just made to set things up so the 2nd half can pack a punch.Overall: Rental/ VODHonestly, this is more so a TV viewing type film, but I am not sure if this would play on TV so I have to push it up to a rental. For while I did like the movie, I must admit I am comparing it to Blue and in comparison, while I remain a fan of Seydoux and plan to see more of her work in the coming months, this film just doesn't seem like it is worth spending money on unless you are a fan of Seydoux or Klein, assuming he is still acting. Still though, I think this is definitely worth watching on a Sunday afternoon and though the film may seem like it lacks direction in the first half, once the 2nd half hits you will see the both performers finally put on a show which may not be the full extent of their talents, but definitely gives you enough of a taste to want to see more from them.

Dan Franzen (dfranzen70) In Sister, a boy helps he and his sister survive by stealing from rich folks at a posh ski resort in the Swiss Alps. But the boy and his sister are both a bit more than each seems in this provocative psychological, daring thriller from Ursula Meier.Young Simon (Kacey Mottet Klein) has procured a season pass to a winter ski lodge. Each day, he rides up the giant lifts to the top of the mountain, where he swipes skis, poles, boots, gloves, and other paraphernalia, selling them to the less-fortunate in the town below. He does this to support he and his sister Louise (Lea Seydoux), an unfocused, somewhat-selfish wanderer who appears too have little concern for the well being of herself or for Simon, flitting from job to job and from lover to lover like a forlorn mosquito. So it's entirely up to Simon to keep them afloat, and he's a quick learner. Even at age 12, he can cook and clean and knows ski equipment better than even expert skiers, even though he is no skier himself. He's an entrepreneur, albeit in a dangerous career.He sells to workers. He sells to kids. He takes advance orders and knows how much to charge. He's not intimidated by anyone. He is, at his tender age, a master thief, knowing where to stow his ill-gotten gains and how best to get them back down the mountain. One can argue that he does what he has to do, since his youth prevents him from getting an authentic job and the adult in the family is wildly undependable. He takes on an apprentice at one point, goes into cahoots with another at a different juncture. But a few of his schemes do not end favorably for him. Simon is friendless, utterly alone. But his relationship with Louise is quite complicated. There are tender touches. Inappropriate remarks. Lingering glances. Is this simply typical preteen behavior, or something more? With no other friends - and apparently, no school to serve as a social function - Louise is about the only female with whom he interacts on a regular basis.He meets a visiting family - mom, two boys - at the resort. Mom is kind and buys Simon breakfast, even though he is loaded with cash. They bond a little; she seeing perhaps a lost soul whose story of no parents or siblings isn't ringing true, he seeing a mother figure he desperately desires.The twist in the movie makes its appearance just about halfway through. It's surprising that it arrives so early, and when it does it passes two crucial tests: it is both out of the blue and completely plausible. The perfect twist. Obviously, the twist coming so early in the film means that the movie's real enticement comes in this major revelation - well, a revelation to the audience, not to the characters. At first, we're not sure who is telling the truth; are we being snookered? When we discover the answer to that question, the relationship between Louise and Simon takes on a whole new dimension.Both Klein and Seydoux, playing characters who are almost aggressively opposite from one another, are phenomenal. Simon longs for a better life even as he excels in his current role. Louise, a tragic heroine, is mentally scarred, unsure, unhappy, and besieged by doubt. She seems of no use to him, and yet he pushes hard to make a life for them both.The ending is one of those that will leave half of the audience wondering if a reel was left off by mistake and the other half nodding appreciatively. It is not a neat ending; it is awash with symbolism of the direction each lead's life is headed. And set against the majestic beauty of the mountains, it is a strong, stark, and beautiful finale.