Movie Review: ‘The Hedgehog’

Courtesy of Platform Media Group

Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic) is a serious, but deeply bored 11-year-old, who has decided to kill herself on her twelfth birthday. Fascinated by art and philosophy, with her video camera in tow where ever she goes, questions and documents her life and immediate circle, drawing incisive and amusing observations on the world around her. The adults in her ‘orbit’ go about their daily lives with a milieu issues and all but dismiss Paloma, often irritated by her ever present camera capturing their every word.  

As Paloma’s planned appointment with death approaches, she finally really get’s to know her building's ‘janitor’, and meets the mysterious yet appealing new neighbor, who both inspire Paloma to examine the pessimistic outlook she has on her young life, while stimulating her sense of wonder at the intricacies’ of actually living life.

Reminiscent of the popular awarding winning PBS television series ‘Upstairs/Downstairs’ (1971-75) taking place in London between 1903-1930, the current PBS series in its second season ‘Downton Abby’, which depicts the lifestyles of the upper classes and the servants within the households of English society beginning in the years leading up to World War I (1914-18), and currently in release ‘The Help’ which presents a southern American view set in Mississippi during the 1960s of the unlikely friendship between two women who are a generation and class structure apart, ‘The Hedgehog’, taking place in France of today, gives us a contemporary view of the separation of the classes. 

Moving performances by the cast include Josiane Balasko as the ‘janitor’ (or superintendent in some countries) who’s all but invisible to the wealthy tenants of the upscale apartment building until the need arises for her services, with the humanity of the person being overlooked, with only the demand for completing the task taking prominence. Togo Igawa’s understated yet on-screen captivating portrayal of the new upscale tenant who moves in and warms the distant heart of the ‘janitor’.  And the young actress Garance Le Guillermic, as the 11 year old who wants to end her life by 12 years old, carries the film with an intuitive performance presenting a wide range of emotional levels as her character experiences the highs and lows as her 12th birthday approaches and the contemplation of actually following through with her intended suicide.

"The Hedgehog" is in French with English subtitles, but don’t let that deter one from viewing a poignant story that at one time or another, we’ve all examined the aspect of solidifying our own self worth and our place in society, no matter what level that may be.

"The Hedgehog" is written and directed by Mona Achache; based on the novel by Muriel Barbery. It is now playing at 1:20 p.m. and 7 p.m. at in Encino this week.

Stan Robinson’s movie reviews, interviews, and motion pictures industry articles are available at ScreenScene.org and Examiner.com  online.

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