Other People's Children

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2 (out of 5 )

Short Take: The phrase comes from the film industry, initially, and it means a short bit of recording or “something that only takes a short time,” especially if a more extended version may be done later.

Short Take review: A short review of a film with potential discussion points

Summary: Rachel (Virginie Efira) is a 40-year-old high school teacher who loves her work, friends, sister and widowed father. To expand her horizons, she decides to take a guitar class. Here she meets Ali (Roschdy Zem), and they begin a passionate love affair that makes her yearn to know more about his life. Since her lover is recently separated, Ali has visitation rights with his four-year-old daughter Leila. The three of them all begin to build bonds with one another as the couple's love deepens. Until the complexities of life unfold as Leila’s mother (Chiara Mastroianni) desires to reconcile with her husband.

Review: This beautiful and methodical drama unpacks the plight of the older single woman who must decide between career, romance, and yearning for children. Director Rebecca Zlotowski exposes the emotional and physical challenges of this season of a woman’s life as it occurs within the realities of everyday living. Virginie Efira is brilliant as she embodies her role and brings the audience along on this season of womanhood. To complement her struggles, the storyline includes her bittersweet experiences as a teacher of other people’s children. This film is ideal for those who love French expressions of passion and human plight.

Reel Dialogue: What do we do when everything seems to fall apart? As we age, we realise that most things in our lives, like jobs, family, and community issues, are out of our control. Companies fail, people make bad choices, and sometimes circumstances cannot be avoided.

How does God help us during these times? The Bible offers the answers to these questions, not with the elimination of difficulty and strife, but with the peace and solace that comes through a relationship with God.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

If you want to discuss the difficulties of life and God, contact us at Third Space. We would love to chat about this and more.