Wild Reeds (Les Roseaux Sauvages) poster & wallpaper
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Élodie Bouchez, Gaël Morel, Stephane Rideau, Frédéric Gorny, Michèle Moretti ... see more see more... , Jacques Nolot , Denis Bergonhe

This is a nostalgic French coming-of-age drama from director Andre Techine set in a Provence deeply divided over the war for independence being waged against French colonialism in Algeria. In 1962, Fr... read more read more...ancois (Gael Morel) and Maite (Elodie Bouchez) are best friends and students at a boarding school in southwestern France, where Maite's mother Madame Alvarez (Michele Moretti) is an instructor. Francois is realizing he's gay because of his attraction to his working class roommate Serge (Stephane Rideau). Although Serge seduces Francois one night, he is not gay and is actually attracted to Maite. So is Henri (Frederic Gorny), a radically-politicized Algerian-born Frenchman who supports France in the war, an unpopular position, particularly with Madame Alvarez, a communist. The classroom sparring between Henri and Alvarez galvanizes the school, but then word comes that Serge's older brother has been killed in the war. Madame Alvarez, who loved him but refused to help him desert the military, becomes so unhinged that she must be sent away for treatment. Wild Reeds (1994) won four Cesars (France's equivalent of the Oscar), including the award for that year's Best Picture, beating such other notable films as Red (1994) and Queen Margot (1994). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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85% liked it

2,269 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

10 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Andre Techine

Release Date: June 1, 1994

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DVD Release Date: February 13, 2001

Stats: 101 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (101)

  • matoler
    September 17, 2011
    matoler
    Algeria's War for Liberation echoes in the lives of French teenagers. A masterfully told tale with a cast whose performances reveal a talent beyond their years.
  • alienmindtrick
    October 2, 2010
    alienmindtrick
    The French do cinema well anyway, but they do coming-of-age movies exceptionally well. This movie has gorgeous scenery, gorgeous young actors and actresses, and gorgeous cinematography.
  • sleepykiss
    February 20, 2008
    sleepykiss
    Beautiful with a touch of longing & sadness as all good coming-of-age flicks should be. Im a major Techine fan. See MY FAVORITE SEASON & THIEVES, both with CDeneuve & DAuteuil.

View All Wild Reeds (Les Roseaux Sauvages) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
December 20, 2006
Emanuel Levy, Variety

French helmer Andre Techine's most personal--and arguably best--film is one of the few foreign language pictures that was recognized by most critics groups in the U.S. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Some of the political undertones may go astray, but the emotional center of the film is touching and honest. Full Review

John A. Nesbit
March 9, 2010
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

real and honest Full Review

Felix Gonzalez Jr.
August 18, 2008
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review

... Techine examines the emotional changes of his young protagonists with sensitivity and understanding. Full Review

Jeremy Heilman
June 19, 2002
Jeremy Heilman, MovieMartyr.com

[Its] subdued tone becomes the movie's greatest strength, since it keeps the film's plot events from ever feeling melodramatic. Full Review

Dustin Putman
January 1, 2000
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com

There are moments within the film that are full of such unblinking reality and intelligence that there is no way it could be a 'mainstream' American picture. Full Review

Caryn James
May 20, 2003
Caryn James, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 21, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Click to read the article Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

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