Variety
Less group-huggy than such inspirational pics as Lean on Me and Stand and Deliver, yet every bit as respectful of the pros who step in to educate and elevate disadvantaged youth.
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Standing Tall
Rod Paradot makes his César 'Most Promising Actor' award-winning debut, alongside Catherine Deneuve, in this drama co-written and directed by Emmanuelle Bercot.
"Abandoned by his mother at the age of 6, Malony (Paradot) is constantly in and out of juvenile court. An adoptive family grows around this young delinquent: Florence (Deneuve), a children’s magistrate nearing retirement, and Yann (Benoît Magimel), a caseworker and himself the survivor of a very difficult childhood. Together they follow the boy’s journey and try unfailingly to save him. When Malony is sent to a stricter educational center, he meets Tess (Diane Rouxel), who will show him that there are reasons for hope." (Alliance Française French Film Festival)
Less2015Rating: R16, Violence, sexual violence & offensive language120 minsFranceFrench with English subtitles
Drama
- Director:
- Emmanuelle Bercot ('On My Way', 'La Fille de Brest', 'Backstage')
- Writer:
- Emmanuelle BercotMarcia Romano
- Cast:
- Rod ParadotCatherine DeneuveSara ForestierBenoît MagimelDiane RouxelElizabeth MazevAnne SuarezChristophe MeynetCatherine Salée
Standing Tall | Reviews
81%37 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® Score
All reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
The Telegraph
The film has a scrappy optimism about it that's often very winning, but it never draws itself up to its full height.
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The New York Times
Mr. Paradot's performance is so viscerally intense that there is no escaping its force.
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The Guardian
It's a movie with quiet strength and purpose, unembarrassed about its own optimism, perhaps inspired by Dardenne brothers movies such as Le Fils.
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Los Angeles Times
With his coiled, jumpy intensity, Paradot - a carpentry student making his acting debut - is thoroughly convincing, provoking scorn as much as sympathy.
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Hollywood Reporter
A gritty and compassionate look at an adolescence riddled by violence, punishment and the idea that rehabilitation is a long way off, but not entirely out of the question.
Full reviewStanding Tall | Release Details
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