Two very similar families living in an idyllic suburb are neighbours and friends. One day the mother of one of the families witnesses the small son of her neighbour taking an unreasonable risk. Although she reacts with commendable speed and enterprise, as any responsible citizen would, she cannot save the child. The accidental death of the little boy is about to start a spiral of fear, envy and resentment...
Unless I'm very much mistaken this movie is based on a book by Barbara Abel, a French-speaking Belgian specialized in thrillers and "polars". Blushing profoundly, I've got to admit I never read any of her work. Still, watching the movie one recognizes a well-plotted intrigue plus a convincing atmosphere of dread and despair. I was somewhat reminded of the work of Ruth Rendell, another author capable of conjuring up the psychological horrors hiding behind well-kept gardens and leafy suburbs.
There are many things to like, such as the good acting by all of the protagonists. In my humble opinion the first half of the movie is better than the second half, but still : a very watchable effort. At least one scene chills to the bone, to wit a scene where a child attends the funeral of his friend and discovers, with a great deal of spontaneous indignation, that his own cuddly toy animal is lying in the coffin, next to the deceased. Memorable stuff...
Unless I'm very much mistaken this movie is based on a book by Barbara Abel, a French-speaking Belgian specialized in thrillers and "polars". Blushing profoundly, I've got to admit I never read any of her work. Still, watching the movie one recognizes a well-plotted intrigue plus a convincing atmosphere of dread and despair. I was somewhat reminded of the work of Ruth Rendell, another author capable of conjuring up the psychological horrors hiding behind well-kept gardens and leafy suburbs.
There are many things to like, such as the good acting by all of the protagonists. In my humble opinion the first half of the movie is better than the second half, but still : a very watchable effort. At least one scene chills to the bone, to wit a scene where a child attends the funeral of his friend and discovers, with a great deal of spontaneous indignation, that his own cuddly toy animal is lying in the coffin, next to the deceased. Memorable stuff...