Starring: Olivier Gourmet, Morgan Marinne, Isabella Soupart
Director: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne
Country: France
Genre: Foreign, Drama

Mesmerizing.

From the first frame of this film straight through to its last, it is nearly impossible to take your eyes away from this fascinating hyper-realistic drama. The performances are so matter-of-fact that it recalls the days of Italian Neorealism  in casting non-actors to portray the afflicted protagonists. The Son is a tale of obsession, a tale of revenge, but above all a tale of unexpected choices. The suspense created in this film is unlike any I’ve ever experienced, completely unaware of what feelings should be coming to the surface. Most of the time a bubbling nervousness is abound, but it’s careful never to push into completely uncomfortable territory. The end product is a completely satisfying and unconventional. I don’t imagine this film is for anyone, but it might interest those who take a liking to the proletariat trend in modern American independent films.