The Kid with a Bike

...this one hurts. red represents anger and the lack of sympathy within you. your bike is one way of chasing the love you want. how do you let yourself be loved when your own father can't love you—when he excludes you from the equation so he can "start fresh"? you, his own blood, become a used thing. of course you're mad. what is familial love anyway? it's so frustrating to love this kid. but then this kid will learn that parental love is beyond blood, that somewhere out there, someone will be patient with him, will take his anger and turn it into peacefulness. and eventually, his red shirt will not mean rage. it will mean love.

...this one hurts. red represents anger and the lack of sympathy within you. your bike is one way of chasing the love you want. how do you let yourself be loved when your own father can't love you—when he excludes you from the equation so he can "start fresh"? you, his own blood, become a used thing. of course you're mad. what is familial love anyway? it's so frustrating to love this kid. but then this kid will learn that parental love is beyond blood, that somewhere out there, someone will be patient with him, will take his anger and turn it into peacefulness. and eventually, his red shirt will not mean rage. it will mean love.

This film specifically was probably one of the longest outstanding members on my watchlist, have been meaning to get around to it forever. The Dardenne brother’s have never disappointed me before and that trend continues, very excited I get to see something new from them on the big screen soon.

This film specifically was probably one of the longest outstanding members on my watchlist, have been meaning to get around to it forever. The Dardenne brother’s have never disappointed me before and that trend continues, very excited I get to see something new from them on the big screen soon.

썩은 동아줄은 놓아주고, 사과와 용서 배우기.

썩은 동아줄은 놓아주고, 사과와 용서 배우기.

Incredibly well made film, great acting, great music, and great pacing

The only thing holding me back from giving this a higher score is my own preferences. I think I need to delve into More artistic films to fully appreciate it. Nonetheless still a great film and highly reccomend.

Incredibly well made film, great acting, great music, and great pacing

The only thing holding me back from giving this a higher score is my own preferences. I think I need to delve into More artistic films to fully appreciate it. Nonetheless still a great film and highly reccomend.

CRITERION CHALLENGE 2025 #25:

We’ve all known a kid like this. Abandoned, pushed aside, and lashing out at everything and everyone. A constant cry for help, constantly misunderstood for something devious and mean. And boy did I wish I could give this kid a real hug.

The Dardenne style is deceptively simple, using ultra realism and stripped down art direction as a way to remove themselves of artifice and focusing on what truly matters: emotion.

I know the Dardenne brothers are an acquired taste, but after only two movies, I’m already sold. I felt every moment. I felt every line. And I felt a lot.

A masterclass once again.

CRITERION CHALLENGE 2025 #25:

We’ve all known a kid like this. Abandoned, pushed aside, and lashing out at everything and everyone. A constant cry for help, constantly misunderstood for something devious and mean. And boy did I wish I could give this kid a real hug.

The Dardenne style is deceptively simple, using ultra realism and stripped down art direction as a way to remove themselves of artifice and focusing on what truly matters: emotion.

I know the Dardenne brothers are an acquired taste, but after only two movies, I’m already sold. I felt every moment. I felt every line. And I felt a lot.

A masterclass once again.