DVD Review – The Adopted (VIDEO)
Released on Monday by Studiocanal is the French drama and directional debut from Melanie Laurant, The Adopted. Scott shares his thoughts – Video Style
OK so this isn’t the best review you will ever see, but it is something I may look into doing more in the future. Yes I look silly, yes I fumble my words, I am very nervous so you will have to forgive me, they will only get better.
Without further a do here is my video review of The Adopted
For those unable to watch the video review, here is my written review…
Laurent may well be best known as an actress, but with The Adopted she shows that she has a deft eye for both direction and also a canny sense of humour (as she also co-wrote the screenplay).
Set in Lyon, France the film follows a trio of strong women in a family unit – Millie the handsome and hard drinking Mother; her biological and cynical daughter Lisa (played by Laurent, she is a busy girl huh?), and the emotional adopted daughter Marine. Lisa has a young son from a father who has long since left and the trio have little time for men in their lives until Alex, a restaurant critic who stumbles into Marine’s bookshop and a romance blossoms. This completely upsets the fine balance of life within the family as Marine is less in need of conversation, support and most importantly love from her Mother and Sister. Lisa is initially resentful of Alex who she blames for the family unrest, until, tragedy strikes and forces her to try and accept him in their family unit.
The tragic accident is the epicenter that the rest of the film revolves. It also very neatly and precisely cuts the film into two halves, both with a very distinct and different feel – The first half is light and whimsical and full of romance much like Marine, the second is more like Lisa, deeper, darker and a lot more grounded, as you would expect of a hard working single Mother.
The three female characters are all strong and light up the screen, but what is nice to see is that Alex, played by Denis Menochet (also from Inglorious Basterds) manages NOT to be lost in the background. In fact it is he that brings the film to life with his determination not to be bullied out of Marine’s life by the oppressive brood of Millie.
Laurent does a fine job of keeping the story going with some beautiful shots and neat direction. At times the film may be a little to quaint and twee in the first half, but this is perfectly balanced out in the second. All in all it is a good debut behind the camera from the French actress.
THE ADOPTED IS RELEASED ON MONDAY 2ND APRIL ON DVD AND BLU-RAY BY STUDIOCANAL
About The Author – Scott Lawlor
Chief Editor of FRC. A self confessed geek with an unhealthy thirst for all things Home Cinema. Whether it is the latest Action film or Subwoofer. Check out his home set up HERE
Have you seen this film? Did you enjoy the review? Comment below…
Scott Lawlor
Great vlog
I want to see this film now, I also really, really, really love Melanie, she’s a bit fit, too.
Thanks Mike. And yes she is very easy on the eye
Go Scott with the vlogging! Next it’ll be podcasts and you’ll never write another word! Nice review, you’ve sold it to me! Sounds interesting enough but possibly not electrifying.
Thanks Pete. Weird thing is I am too scared to do a podcast, but I am happy to do this…. strange!
Exciting to see a vlog from you. Your audio needs a little work and it might be a bit too long, but it’s a good start. I’m not sure how to get around the video clips. I’d imagine you could use anything that’s been publicly released like trailers, but I’m not sure. You might also want to include the written review as well for the people who can’t access the video.
Excellent points Max. I have taken them on board and also added a written review below.
I’m not trying to be mean here, but i think you spent a bit too much time talking about the plot, and not enough on your opinion about the movie. With that said, you have an awesome accent
Not mean matey. you are totally right. This is only the first in what I hope will be a long list of vids in the future I will do better next time!
You had me at Melanie Laurent, Scott !!
But seriously, I am trying to see more of her films since Inglourious and Beginners and I loved her in everything I have seen so far. I will definitely check it out when I can.
Nice Experiment with this Vlog. And don’t you think you are taking The Big Lebowski a little too seriously ?? haha. Don’t worry. I Approve.
Go Scott !!
HAHAH It is my thing matey! Nothing wrong with The Dud!
Scott!
thanks for bringing this to my attention on twitter. very bold move. I’ve been asked to start YouTube vlogging reviews, just haven’t been brave enough to attempt it. Pardon my Trekkie-ness here, but it’s sweet to see you boldly going where very few of us have gone before!
I look forward to how you evolve in this venue. Are you viewing any other video reviewers online as references for ideas, etc?
I do agree with Max, that perhaps including a quick written summary of your thoughts in addition to the video would be great. Nice work.
Thanks for the comment matey. It is somethign I will pursue and with your help (and Max’s) I will make them better next time
Nice review Scott and it’s cool to finally hear you talk. It’s always nice to finally put a voice to someone you’ve been in contact with through emails and social network.
Keep coming with the video reviews.
Thanks Ted. It was scary, as I am pretty ugly, but hey I have no shame
Wow, a vlog. I find them very modern! But don’t know if I could do them. I’ll probably going to blank out when the camera is on. I admire your courage to do them!
The adopted sounds great. I love Melanie Laurent.
I reckon you should have a go Andina. It is fun, but you are right it is very scary putting it out there for all to see!
Woo hoo, look at you matey!! You do look a lot like Russell Crowe and LOVE your accent. So are you gonna do a lot more vlog then for your reviews? I think this is cool and I always admire people who have the courage to do a video blog or podcast as I know I just can’t do ‘em, I’m just too shy and I really would rather write than have people see my face whilst I’m reviewing something.
Cool to see Melanie Laurent re-teaming w/ her ‘Basterds’ co-star here, I might check this one out on account of your fab review.
Thanks Ruth, I will take that as a compliment!
I am going to carry on with this concept, i think. and they can only get better hey? Maybe one without a lot of French names would be better!! HAHAHA
Of course it’s a compliment matey! Russell Crowe is one good looking bloke, and so are you! I look forward to your next VLOG!
HAHA OK. I am probably have another later in the week if not next week
wow…awesome move Scott. I will never do vlog because I love writing…but I do admire such breakthrough. However, I hope you’ll never do podcast because my mobilephone couldn’t do podcast. Youtube video is still possible.
The movie itself sounds interesting. Maybe I will watch it one day.
I am not a fan of Podcasts really Novia, so you may well be safe there LOL
Thanks for watching my friend
Nice work, my man!! Good to see you live and in the flesh!!
I’m working on doing some of my own video reviews soon too, so we’ll have to compare notes!!!
Ooh interesting! I look forward to seeing them Rodney. They can only be better than this one I am sure!
you is such a star, Scottie
nice review, although I don’t like Melanie.
Thanks Dezzy. No worries you do not like her, more for me!
I’m actually just about to watch this one, so I’ll come back and watch your clip afterwards.
I hope you were as taken as I was. Although I am an easy sell!
Sadly I wasn’t, but good job on the video. Hope to see more in the future.
Scott, this is awesome! I hope there are more of these moving forward. I’m definitely going to be checking this out. I barely know anything about Laurent- I’ve only seen her in Basterds- and yet I know her by name, which speaks volumes.
Thanks John. It is scary but fun to do. And they can only get better hey?
I bet you can actually say Laurent with out fumbling it like i do!! HAHAH
Nice to see you move into something new…great to see some moving images. The sound could be a better (sounds tinny), but I like this new format
I wish I could make a vlog as good as that…I tried, but my resolution wasn’t so good (I have a video camera that only takes the tapes instead of a memory card, which presents some problems when I try and transfer my stuff from the camera to the computer) and I don’t know how you put the trailer in there! Anyway, great stuff!