The Kid With a Bike

Empire“Feels human, poignant and real...” In outline it sounds trite — a disenfranchised kid is turned around by a kindly stranger — but the Dardennes’ make it so much more. Raw but compassionate, naturalistic but compelling...

Little White Lies“De France’s performance is faultless...” Looks with characteristic poignancy, honesty and integrity at the commonplace hurdles ordinary people face when attempting to make their way though life...

Total Film “A careful optimism informs the action...” As ever with the Dardennes, this is a film devoid of sentiment and melodrama that is all the more vital and compassionate for it...

The Independent“Lacks the unsettling moral dilemma that animated their last film...” No voices are raised, no music is played. There's no need, because we are listening to the sound of a heart being broken. Scene by scene The Kid with a Bike is absorbing...

The Telegraph“It’s their own fault for setting the bar so high...” The dangers here, by Dardenne standards, are almost cloyingly blatant, the tug-of-war over a boy’s upbringing a few drafts short of convincing...

Guardian“This is a heartfelt, boldly direct film...” Despite some plot eccentricities, this is an affecting, artless film that wins over its audience with simplicity and force...

Time Out“Cyril is brought to life with near heartbreaking vulnerability...” The Dardennes finally afford huge dignity and strength to Cyril. They also leave us with a big-hearted film far more complex than its brisk simplicity may at first suggest...