Film of the month
FILM REVIEW: ELLEN TOUT. *
MERRELL.COM; **BAREFOOT WINE, 2020
SET IN PARIS, this French language film follows the story of young Mathieu Malinski (Jules Benchetrit). Music is his secret and playing the piano is his outlet. In the banlieue, money is tight and his friends and family disregard his passion. After a petty burglary, which his friends encourage him to commit, almost lands Mathieu in prison, his talent catches the attention of National Music Conservatory director Pierre Geithner (Lambert Wilson), who offers to help him - in exchange for Mathieu doing community service at the music school. Pierre believes Mathieu has the potential to become a great pianist and signs him up for the national piano competition.