Thankfully, in 'Sarah's Key', the depiction of the 'Vel' d'Hiv Round Up' and its related events was less difficult to take in than it was in the film 'The Round Up' (refer to author's review of that movie), emotionally. The perspective and plot of this movie in centered on the heart wrenching effects of the death of Sarah's young brother, a tragedy that marked Sarah's life to the point where only her own death could stop the pain. The story is told from the perspective of a journalist (Kristin Scott Thomas) who has an indirect connection to the apartment where Sarah had lived and her young brother died horribly; that concept was artistically a good idea.
Kristin Scott Thomas turns out another good performance. I doubt I've ever said anything bad about her or her work; a hardened fan simply can't. The supporting cast and in particular Mélusine Mayance, who plays young Sarah, was above reproach; Mélusine is as convincing and believable as could ever be. The English title is absolutely the best possible choice for the movie; the original French title somehow is not nearly as good a choice. The original version of the film is bilingual (French and English - mostly the former) and it is not close to Hollywood formulated production, thankfully; a happy-ish ending is thus much more of a pleasant experience. Well worth seeing and so I recommend it without reservation to anyone interested in the subject.
Kristin Scott Thomas turns out another good performance. I doubt I've ever said anything bad about her or her work; a hardened fan simply can't. The supporting cast and in particular Mélusine Mayance, who plays young Sarah, was above reproach; Mélusine is as convincing and believable as could ever be. The English title is absolutely the best possible choice for the movie; the original French title somehow is not nearly as good a choice. The original version of the film is bilingual (French and English - mostly the former) and it is not close to Hollywood formulated production, thankfully; a happy-ish ending is thus much more of a pleasant experience. Well worth seeing and so I recommend it without reservation to anyone interested in the subject.