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*** (out of four)
Sheesh, brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne sure don't have a lot of faith in modern parents.
Jeremie Renier (who sold his newborn son in the Dardennes' “The Child”) plays a deadbeat who wants to start his life over without his 11-year-old son Cyril (Thomas Doret), leaving the boy in the temporary care of a hairdresser (Cecile de France of “Hereafter”)—fully aware the boy would rather be with the dad who doesn't want him. The Dardennes still succumb to a certain amount of contrivance and convenience, and don't necessarily have a unique perspective to bring to the story of a kid without guidance (and self-worth) lured into bad behavior. Yet an organically unfolding plot and riveting performances make this Cannes prize winner searing and sad anyway.
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mpais@tribune.com. @mattpais