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IMDbPro

The Cement Garden

  • 19931993
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5K
YOUR RATING
The Cement Garden (1993)
Drama
Four children live with their terminally ill mother. After she dies, they try to hold things together. In their isolated house, they begin to deteriorate mentally, whilst they hide their mom... Read allFour children live with their terminally ill mother. After she dies, they try to hold things together. In their isolated house, they begin to deteriorate mentally, whilst they hide their mom's decomposing corpse in a makeshift concrete sarcophagus.Four children live with their terminally ill mother. After she dies, they try to hold things together. In their isolated house, they begin to deteriorate mentally, whilst they hide their mom's decomposing corpse in a makeshift concrete sarcophagus.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
5K
YOUR RATING
    • Andrew Birkin
    • Andrew Birkin
    • Ian McEwan(novel)
  • Stars
    • Charlotte Gainsbourg
    • Andrew Robertson
    • Alice Coulthard
    • Andrew Birkin
    • Andrew Birkin
    • Ian McEwan(novel)
  • Stars
    • Charlotte Gainsbourg
    • Andrew Robertson
    • Alice Coulthard
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos116

    The Cement Garden (1993)
    The Cement Garden (1993)
    The Cement Garden (1993)
    The Cement Garden (1993)
    The Cement Garden (1993)
    The Cement Garden (1993)
    Charlotte Gainsbourg in The Cement Garden (1993)
    Andrew Robertson in The Cement Garden (1993)
    The Cement Garden (1993)
    Charlotte Gainsbourg and Andrew Robertson in The Cement Garden (1993)
    Charlotte Gainsbourg and Andrew Robertson in The Cement Garden (1993)
    Charlotte Gainsbourg and Andrew Robertson in The Cement Garden (1993)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charlotte Gainsbourg
    Charlotte Gainsbourg
    • Julie
    Andrew Robertson
    Andrew Robertson
    • Jack
    Alice Coulthard
    Alice Coulthard
    • Sue
    Ned Birkin
    • Tom
    Sinéad Cusack
    Sinéad Cusack
    • Mother
    Hanns Zischler
    Hanns Zischler
    • Father
    Jochen Horst
    Jochen Horst
    • Derek, Julie's Friend
    Gareth Brown
    • William
    William Hootkins
    William Hootkins
    • Commander Hunt
    • (voice)
    Dick Flockhart
    • Truck Driver
    Mike Clark
    • Driver's Mate
      • Andrew Birkin
      • Andrew Birkin
      • Ian McEwan(novel)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      A quote from the film (as spoken by Gainsbourg) is featured in the introduction to the 2001 Madonna song "What It Feels Like for a Girl".
    • Goofs
      When Jack brings in the tray to his mum, when she's in her room, he draws back the curtains to let some light in. However, the light obviously comes not from outside, but from a source of light somewhere above (not visible).
    • Quotes

      Julie: Girls can wear jeans and cut their hair short, wear shirts and boots, because it's OK to be a boy, but for a boy to look like a girl is degrading, because you think that being a girl is degrading. But secretly you'd love to know what it's like, wouldn't you? What it feels like for a girl?

    • Connections
      Edited into Screen Two: The Cement Garden (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Me & J.C.
      Composed by David Gilmour

      © Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd.

    User reviews29

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Fascinating and surreal drama
    The Cement Garden is based on a book by Ian McEwan and follows a group of siblings as they try to cope with the loss of their parents. However, there is much more to this film than merely the basic plot outline; through interesting character design, surreal locations and a gentle stream of shocking happenings; writer-director Andrew Birkin has created a truly unique and fascinating piece of cinema. Of all the films I have seen, I can't think of a single one that is really anything like this one. The film takes place in and around an isolated house surrounded by concrete (presumably on the edge of a town). The house is inhabited by two adults and four children; until the father dies of a heart attack, and the mother's health deteriorates until her eventual death shortly thereafter. This then leaves the four children to fend for themselves. The eldest siblings, Julie and Jack, decide to hide the mother's body in the basement rather than allowing themselves to go into care. The event affects each of the children in different ways.

    The Cement Garden is characterised by its setting; a large and morose house stands amidst a landscape made purely of concrete. This location serves the story as it creates isolation and separates the central family from the rest of the population. The film's colour scheme is based on grey and the gloominess of it helps to enforce the melancholy nature of the story. The film features plenty of shocks and breaks many taboos; but everything is presented in such a gentle manner that most of things featured actually seem quite normal, and that in turn makes them even more shocking. The film really is quite daring, and even more so for the fact that the central cast is so young. The dialogue can be quite awkward at times but the actors make the best of it. The film does become more surreal as it moves along, and while the ending of the film is not really a surprise; it still does manage to provide a shock. Overall, The Cement Garden is an excellent adaptation and well worth a look.
    helpful•26
    4
    • The_Void
    • Jul 14, 2009

    FAQ1

    • Is "The Cement Garden" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 11, 1994 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • Constantin Film
      • Laurentic Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 41 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby

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