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Submitted by: Peas and Carrots Starring: Emilie Dequenne, Fabrizio Rongione, Anne Yernaux, Olivier Gourmet, Bernard Marbaix Directed by: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne, Alain Marcoen Genre: Foreign(Belgium) Rosetta, a seventeen year old, has just been fired from her job (its probably more like laying off, as she displays only good qualities as a worker). Right from the beginning, the audience will probably get a headache, because the camera is following Rosetta's frantic run away from the security guards. You know what...you better get used to it, because this flavor of socio-realism lasts throughout the entire film. As professional critics, we obviously cannot use the same Hollywood standards for judge a film like this; the technical aspects of the film may be...iffy at best, but the message does get clearly relayed. Rosetta lives in a trailer home, her mom is alcoholic, and she barely eats (although she sure does drink alot of water...dirty water). The key is that Rosetta takes this all with dignity, and that she preserves her pride, which unfortunately is all she really has. Sure, there are films out there that touches people's hearts with vivid/dramatic images of poverty and minimal living conditions, but this film chooses to show essentially an "un-touched up" picture. We did not feel the urge to cry or shed tears for Rosetta, but we did share her hunger for a job, friends, and a "regular" life. There were curious aspects: 1) the changing shoes routine, 2) Rosetta's fishing abilities in a muddy pond, and 3) them Belgians really do eat Belgian waffles!!! The best comic moment in this otherwise grueling film takes place during a "dance" between Rosetta and her male friend; the drum-playing cassette...well...you see for yourself. Technically, it's a bit of a mess, but we guess its their "style." In terms of projecting the image, well, we received it clearly..."Rosetta doesn't need your sympathy, she wants a job to support herself and her mama." Overall:  
Technical:
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