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Émilie Dequenne, Fabrizio Rongione, Anne Yernaux, Olivier Gourmet, Bernard Marbaix ... see more see more... , Mireille Bailly

From the directors of the critically acclaimed La Promesse (1996) comes this stark portrayal of a young woman coming of age at the edge of social oblivion. Rosetta (Émilie Dequenne) lives in a tiny, b... read more read more...eat-up trailer without toilets or running water with her alcoholic, irresponsible, and utterly dispirited mother, who requires her frequent care. Rosetta longs to have a "normal" life and become a productive member of society, but even this modest goal seems beyond her grasp. Quietly terrified that she will slide into the abyss like her mother, she wages a desperate, purely instinctive battle to lift herself out of her wretched, semi-feral existence. At the film's outset, she is bodily removed from her job at a food factory; for much of the rest of the film, her attempts to gain employment are thwarted by the callousness and indifference of others. The only person to show any kind of sympathy is Riquet (Fabrizio Rongione), who ekes out a pittance at a waffle stand while secretly skimming profits from his boss. Though his awkward attempts to gain her interest go unacknowledged by the barely socialized Rosetta, the two develop something like a friendship. Later in the movie, however, her loyalty to her new-found friend clashes with her all-consuming desire for a job. First-time actress Dequenne, who spent time in a similarly harsh environment to prepare for the role, won the Best Actress prize at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. This film also won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes and was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Flixster Users

81% liked it

3,286 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

23 critics

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Luc Dardenne

Release Date: November 5, 1999

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DVD Release Date: July 18, 2000

Stats: 170 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (170)

  • fb1216165431
    September 10, 2011
    fb1216165431
    Rosetta is an effective commentary on the social and economic conditions in Belgium through a vivid portrait of a young victim of poverty. Determined.
  • robfearon
    May 20, 2010
    robfearon
    Rosetta isn't a very likeable character, but I still liked the film.
  • mvieaddict
    March 15, 2009
    mvieaddict
    Young and impulsive Rosetta lives with her alcoholic mother and, moved by despair, she will do anything to maintain a job.
    ... read more286/ladypink_2009/011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

    In Rosetta, The Dardenne brothers portrait the daily struggle of a young girl trying to get a job by any means. For her, work means getting a life and finally being someone. But is she ready to do everything to get what she wants, even betray her only friend?

    Rosetta is a movie without adaptation, but really rewarding for those who accept to see it through the eyes of the main character. This could be difficult though given the fact that the script never tries to make her look sympathetic. But I think it is a positive aspect of the movie,, she is a "warrior" after all.

    Actress Emilie Dequenne really "is" Rosetta. You don't think "Wow, that's a good actress!" here because you face cold reality with a real life character.

    One thing I did find annoying,was the wobbly camera technique, don't see,
    if you are feeling a little nauseous as I was, however this is only a small criticism. Its around 90 minutes and I think well worth the investment if you like a good character based movie.

    My opinion, I hope my friends in here who rated Rosetta so high, wont be mad with me, overall an ok movie, but the end was so confusing and abrupt.
    Photobucket
  • jimbotender
    September 13, 2008
    jimbotender
    I am enraged.Furious of what's wrong with governments.How to let know Rosetta otherwise,despite being a fictional character she's a manipulative object of the political system subdued by North America/Europe,deliberately powerful for the ongoing "machine" producing puppets to ser... read moreve the invisible king?For that and only complex reason,Rosetta won't escape her little canteen.
  • HuskersNC949597
    May 7, 2010
    HuskersNC949597
    Kinda bleak, especially considering the huge dive in the economy today. I'm sitting here at 2 a.m. thinking "DAMN we'll all be begging to work at a waffle hut with the idiots in Congress" then I farted.
  • columbiatch
    November 2, 2007
    columbiatch
    Rosetta is a riveting look into the everyday existence of a strong willed teenage girl living in poverty with her alcoholic mother. To escape her dire economic situation she will do anything to get a job. Her basic desire is for a "normal life", which she equates with employmen... read moret. The films is probably entirely shot with a hand held camera that at times can be disorientating, but it gives a documentary feel to the film and helps portray the desperation of the protagonist. While the film focuses on Rosetta's struggle for everyday survival, her problem is spiritual as well as economic. Her dire living conditions have stunted her emotional growth and ingrained into her psyche the belief that finding a job will solve her problems and allow her to live a normal life. Emilie Dequenne is nothing less than convincing as the determined teen. Her character is not likable nor is the audience asked to sympathize with her. It's an extremely bleak film that never strives for sentimentality.

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Critic Reviews

Derek Smith
June 21, 2004
Derek Smith, Cinematic Reflections

'An unflinching portrait of the dehumanizing effects of being forced to live hand-to-mouth with no real hope of escaping.' Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 5, 2004
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Perhaps some of this would have been nominally interesting if Rosetta were slightly likable. Full Review

Chuck Rudolph
March 7, 2002
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine

Fights and struggles to stay afloat literally and symbolically, just like its heroine. Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
March 4, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

The drama vividly conveys the stunted emotional and spiritual life of a teenager who has no time for anything except the struggle to survive. Full Review

Joshua Tanzer
February 26, 2002
Joshua Tanzer, Offoffoff

Some viewers (including a few who walked out when I saw the movie) are going to find the subject too grim and the production too stark - but that's the idea. Full Review

Mark Freeman
March 21, 2001
Mark Freeman, Critical Eye

a careful, painful film, but beautiful in its execution

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

This is a film made for purists of the cinema. Full Review

Peter Henne
January 1, 2000
Peter Henne, Film Journal International

The directors jump into an impoverished, fast-moving life, and never attempt to put on the brakes for the sake of providing audience comfort. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
March 31, 2012
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Click to read the article Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Rosetta Trivia

  • The brothers Dardenne are among very few directors to have won twice the Golden Palm in the Cannes Film Festival. They did it for "Rosetta" and "L'enfant". But what country are the directors from ?  Answer »
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