This review contains slight spoilers.
Julien Rivera (Nicolas Duvauchelle) and his younger brother Louis (Steve Le Roi) live on their father's barge on France's waterways. They make a living by transporting gravel to building sites. Their mother passed away when Louis was two; their father is terminally ill in hospital. The boys insist that their father confirms that they will inherit the barge, as it is their only home and source of income. Unfortunately the old man stubbornly refuses. The boys' money is running out and they desperately need to find another way to make a living.
Julien hears that somebody is willing to pay a lot of money for the painting of a woman with bare breasts by Manet, exhibited in one of Paris's art museums. He convinces Louis, small of stature, to visit the museum, pretending he is from a wealthy art school. All the lad has to do is to make sure the security guard does not see him, cut the oil painting from its frame, put it in his folder and make sure he gets the hell out of there. Easier said than done. Just as the boy runs out of the art hall, the girl working as security guard notices that the Manet is missing, sees the boy running and gives chase. The girl, Rosalie Durieux (Vahina Giocante), follows him right into the barge where the panicking Louis locks her and the painting she has grabbed out of his hands, in a room in the barge. Julien decides they will have to get rid of her, but how?
The two lads gradually get to know Rosalie, and there is suggestions that both boys are falling for the charming lass. This sure would complicate things. In a newspaper they read that she is the prime suspect in the theft of the Manet. This obviously puts her in a predicament. She asks if she can join the Rivera brothers in their venture, but they are rather reluctant. They are still toying with the idea to get rid of her. She just knows too much about them.
The film kicks off with great speed, but loses momentum halfway through. Fortunately it picks up towards the end of the film. The movie occasionally gets a tad too sentimental to my taste. There are also a minor plot-hole or two, but they do not distract much from the flow of the film. The film's strong points far overshadow its weaknesses: the cinematography is excellent - particularly the river scenes - and so too the soundtrack. Acting by the three protagonists is accomplished. It is particularly the character development of the two brothers that impresses. This is an enjoyable and quirky film full of surprises and worth my good score of 7/10.
Julien Rivera (Nicolas Duvauchelle) and his younger brother Louis (Steve Le Roi) live on their father's barge on France's waterways. They make a living by transporting gravel to building sites. Their mother passed away when Louis was two; their father is terminally ill in hospital. The boys insist that their father confirms that they will inherit the barge, as it is their only home and source of income. Unfortunately the old man stubbornly refuses. The boys' money is running out and they desperately need to find another way to make a living.
Julien hears that somebody is willing to pay a lot of money for the painting of a woman with bare breasts by Manet, exhibited in one of Paris's art museums. He convinces Louis, small of stature, to visit the museum, pretending he is from a wealthy art school. All the lad has to do is to make sure the security guard does not see him, cut the oil painting from its frame, put it in his folder and make sure he gets the hell out of there. Easier said than done. Just as the boy runs out of the art hall, the girl working as security guard notices that the Manet is missing, sees the boy running and gives chase. The girl, Rosalie Durieux (Vahina Giocante), follows him right into the barge where the panicking Louis locks her and the painting she has grabbed out of his hands, in a room in the barge. Julien decides they will have to get rid of her, but how?
The two lads gradually get to know Rosalie, and there is suggestions that both boys are falling for the charming lass. This sure would complicate things. In a newspaper they read that she is the prime suspect in the theft of the Manet. This obviously puts her in a predicament. She asks if she can join the Rivera brothers in their venture, but they are rather reluctant. They are still toying with the idea to get rid of her. She just knows too much about them.
The film kicks off with great speed, but loses momentum halfway through. Fortunately it picks up towards the end of the film. The movie occasionally gets a tad too sentimental to my taste. There are also a minor plot-hole or two, but they do not distract much from the flow of the film. The film's strong points far overshadow its weaknesses: the cinematography is excellent - particularly the river scenes - and so too the soundtrack. Acting by the three protagonists is accomplished. It is particularly the character development of the two brothers that impresses. This is an enjoyable and quirky film full of surprises and worth my good score of 7/10.