This is a fantastic movie. I really didn't know much about it when I started it; I had the impression it was maybe a gay coming of age story. Nope. Not so much. This film is about Ludovic, a seven year old boy who believes he is a girl. He understands he might be a boy now, but he believes he will grow up to be a girl. He wants his hair long, to wear his sis's clothes, to put on lipstick and earrings.
His parents are perplexed, but tell themselves that when kids are little they innocently play and Ludo's obsession is temporary. Then they move to a new town and a cloistered suburb where Ludo falls for his dad's new boss's son. He believes they will get married some day. All of a sudden Ludo is front and center of a neighborhood crisis. Very few people, adult or child, want him around. His parents freak out - dad first, with mom defending Ludo. Then dad gets fired (because of Ludo), and mom loses it. He gets beat up after soccer practice, and one of his brothers holds the other brother back, so both stand and watch him take a beating. The family eventually moves, and all the while Ludo is confused. How come he's not a girl? What's the big problem?
The actor playing Ludo, Georges Du Fresne, is amazing. This movie rests on him, and I have no idea how a child could be so self-possessed and talented at his age. The movie is interesting from a stylistic standpoint as well. It uses fairy-tale type imaginings to put us in Ludo's head (did you see Precious? a little like that). The movie is funny and sweet and heartbreaking. And it did not go for a big-hug ending. There is a little of that, but it's not excessive. This movie family has a rough road after the camera stops rolling. It's a really interesting look on being born in the wrong body.
Pick this one up. (It's French - so il y a les soutitres.)
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