Review: My Life as a Courgette (PG)

Small is indeed beautiful and every hand-crafted frame is delicately threaded with themes of alienation, guilt, jealousy and redemption that should strike a deep emotional chord.

The film doesn’t shy away from broaching issues of sexual abuse, self-loathing and immigration but does so with artful sensitivity.In order to showcase this Oscar nominated little gem to the widest audience, there are two versions: subtitled and English language dubbed. If you have a choice at your local cinema, choose the French language original as naturalistic performances complement the stunning visuals.

Nine-year-old, blue-haired Icare, whose nickname is Courgette, shares an untidy home with his mother who, during a drunken rage, takes a tragic tumble down the stairs. Kind police officer Raymond spirits the boy to an orphanage run by caring headmistress Madame Papineau where Courgette bonds with others in a similar situation.

One of those rare films that charms by virtue of pure, unvarnished emotional honesty.

In selected cinemas.