The Kid With a Bike [PG] - French

At an orphanage lives 11 year-old Cyril who is having a hard time believing that his father has moved away with his bike and without him. Determined to show his counsellors and guardians that they’re wrong, he runs away in search of his father. Along the way he meets a hairdresser named Samantha who takes mercy on him and brings him back his bike. Cyril then decides to live with Samantha on weekends and the two make it their mission to find out where Cyril’s father is and why he hasn’t been in contact. 

This is a lovely and engaging little film about childhood, adulthood, and parenthood: outlining the trials and tribulations of each as well as telling a really sad story about an abandoned boy who’s in search of love and consolation. Based on a true story, The Kid With a Bike is a refreshingly light, yet somehow still rather dark and tragic film that had me intrigued from the very first moment. 

At an orphanage lives 11 year-old Cyril who is having a hard time believing that his father has moved away with his bike and without him. Determined to show his counsellors and guardians that they’re wrong, he runs away in search of his father. Along the way he meets a hairdresser named Samantha who takes mercy on him and brings him back his bike. Cyril then decides to live with Samantha on weekends and the two make it their mission to find out where Cyril’s father is and why he hasn’t been in contact. 

Much of this review is going to sound weird because I am sort of regurgitating what my lecturer said about it this afternoon, but he brought up some interesting points that I think are worth sharing, particularly if you’re interested in checking out this flick. 

First is the fusion of genre and cinematic technique. An exhibition of social realism without strictly adhering to the confining grittiness and rawness of the documentary style, The Kid With a Bike hits home with its audiences because the characters, stories, and feelings are what people can relate to, but at the same time it doesn’t lose its status of ‘movie’ because the way in which it’s filmed smacks of contrivance and fiction. 

The intermittent bouts of soundtrack are worth a mention too. Whenever there is music in this movie, it’s only for a minute or less and it’s generally right after some large slice of misfortune has befallen the protagonist. The score isn’t written for the film, it’s a concerto from Beethoven, and the fact that it only features minutely for three scenes in the film as well as the credits makes it harder to ignore. The music definitely stands out. 

It’s a wonderfully cast little movie too with Thomas Doret who stars as Cyril delivering a most engaging performance. 

Starring Cecile De France, Jeremie Renier, Fabrizio Rogione, Egon Di Mateo, and Olivier Gourmet, The Kid With a Bike is a surprisingly endearing little film filled with drama, love, and subtle tragedy. I found that I was completely captivated by it.