Olivier, Olivier (1992)

Olivier, Olivier (1992) was an interesting dramatic crime thriller from film maker Agnieszka Holland. I was impressed with her last film Europa Europa. So when I heard that she directed this movie, I went out and rented a copy. I was impressed by this story of a young boy who disappears. Several years later, an adolescent rapscallion is found who resembles the missing youth. Intrigued by this new found dilemma, he goes along with the charade and joins the family. Gradually, those around him realize that this teen is not the missing boy. It all comes to light when a local odd jobber admits to the molestation and murder of the boy. Not willing to shatter the mother's already fragile psyche. The kid plays along with his role as the long lost son and adapts his new role and family.Another impressive film from Ms. Holland. It was only a matter of time before she become a part of the Hollywood grind. A shame really because she made a handful of great films before being absorbed into the Hollywood studio system. French with English sub-titles.Highly recommended.

Olivier, Olivier is a very unique movie about a family who is held together by a delicate balance of familial roles. When one member, Olivier, suddenly disappears one day, the balance is thrown, the family falls apart, only to years later to be reunited with a teenage Olivier. The acting in this movie is interstellar, and the characters are almost instantly real and alive right down to the surprise climax. Viewers use discretion however, as there are intense sexual scenes- not so graphic, but dealing with incest, pedophilia and an ailing marriage. This movie in some way goes beyond the more acclaimed film by the same director, Europa,Europa, in it's intensity. As a similar film dealing with family in a similar vein I would highly recommend The Cement Garden.

"... Holland is 'one of the great film makers in telling a story, unlike so many Europeans who emphasize character. The American public takes to a film where a story is told well'" (Film Quarterly: Vol.52, No.2, Winter 1998-9, pg3).This comment, made by Orion's Michael Barker, is not far off the mark--at least with respect to Holland's film: "Olivier, Olivier" (1992). Despite the plot's non-fictional premise--the idea for the film, in fact, is based on a French newspaper item from the early 1980s--Agniezca Holland's ability in fully capturing the truly bizarre nature of this story leaves viewers wondering if she, in making the film, could actually have been working from real-life experiences. Holland lays the storyline out in a traditional, chronological manner but makes sure to jump ahead several years at a time, where necessary, to retain her audience's attention. I am American and I did 'take to' this film. In this sense, Michael Barker is absolutely correct. However, I imagine anyone would enjoy a story as well told as Holland tells this one.Highly recommended.

My first Agnieszka Holland movie was "Total Eclipse"(1995), and I was very disappointed. At the end of that of that movie I couldn't feel any sympathy for the lead characters. But that didn't stop me to see some of her previous movies: "Europa, Europa" (1991) and this movie, "Olivier, Olivier" (1992)."Olivier, Olivier" is not as good as her 1991 movie was, but it comes so close, that I simply cannot give it less than 10/10.The most important character of the movie is Elizabeth Duval, Olivier's mother. Brigitte Rouan's performance is extraordinary. Her portrayal of the over-possessive mother is perfect.The rest of the cast is very competitive. Gregoire Colin is a wonderful fake prodigal son. Francois Cluzet and Marina Golovina are superb.The movie does however have a flaw. Nadine's supernatural powers are interesting to look at, but useless to the plot. Forgivable.