The Hedgehog (PG) 7.0

The Hedgehog (2009) Le hérisson (original title): Paloma is a serious and highly articulate but deeply bored 11-year-old who has decided to kill herself on her 12th birthday. Fascinated by art and philosophy, she questions and documents her life and immediate circle. (7.2)

Director: Mona Achache
Writers: Mona Achache (screenplay), Muriel Barbery (novel)
Stars: Josiane Balasko, Garance Le Guillermic and Togo Igawa
Language: French (w/ English subtitles)

This is a short story about the lives of three completely different, yet somewhat similarly eccentric people living in the same apartment building. The strong screenplay and the wonderful acting by the three main actors carry the movie even without having a full-blown story. The observations and the remarks by the little girl make a lot of sense, and are whimsical at the same time. The world seen through the eyes of an 11-year older is quite different and it becomes somewhat alarming when we learn pretty early on that the said girl is tired of living her privileged yet ignored life. The back-stories of the other two characters are also fascinating. Great use of artwork adds to the character of the movie. My Rating: 7.0