Mauvaises Herbes | 2018 - Nica Fictional Fandoms

Also known as Bad Seeds!
This is my first French Movie and I am surprised I never thought of watching a movie in french until now , all with teaching myself the language for over a year so far. Really need to get my lesson plans updated.
Well, better late than never!

WHAT IS ABOUT?

Wael, a former street child, makes a living from small scams with his adoptive mother and partner-in-crime Monique (Catherine Deneuve). When this unconventional duo swindles the wrong guy, Victor (André Dussollier), an old acquaintance of Monique now in charge of a support organization for troubled teens, they have no choice but to become his interim secretary and educator in order to redeem themselves. Facing six willful kids determined to spoil all his efforts, Wael’s own personal story and inventive tricks become the key to gaining their trust – and he soon realizes that he too is given a chance to heal his past and find his place in society.

THOUGHTS

This movie is predictable with it’s story line. It has misguided children enlightened about the good in the world and a street thief actually being a good man at heart but that doesn’t hinder the movie from giving out a powerful message and leaving you with an after thought of societal problems.

The first part of the movie bring with it six troubled but fascinating teens with just the right amount of menace and mayhem. They are sent to an organization that supports and guides troubled teens to be the better part of society. While the jargon follows, we get to witness the movie dealing with domestic violence, poverty, and racial hate. These are troubled kids for a reason and it’s important we as a society identify it.

Wael, the main character of the movie uses unconventional ways to gain their trust and help them strive to be better individuals. I loved the romance and I loved the comic relief that sets a much lighter tone to the theme of the movie.

It also brings to light the displacement children face during war situations and how Wael heals his past and looks for a place in society himself. The hope of being an integral society still remains a hope even today. While this movie brings in a positive approach it doesn’t deter from highlighting difficult themes.

Rating: ★★★★

Overall, Mauvaises Herbes is a brilliant movie in a way it opens conversation to societal issues with enough comic to not leave the audience too uncomfortable.