Back in 2006 I described Melanie Laurent as outstanding in Philippe Loriet's Don't Worry, I'm Fine and I've had no cause to revise that opinion in the intervening years. By pure coincidence I was able to see her twice yesterday - on my way to check out her first feature as a director, she has already directed one short and one TV film, I stopped in a DVD store and right at the front they were displaying The Round Up which I fell upon and watched last night. First things first, in Les Adoptes she displays all the sensitivity of Philippe Loriet and has delivered a fine, moving film not a million miles away from Don't Worry, I'm Fine, which explores the joys and pain of sibling love. With the help of an exceptional, if largely unknown cast, and taking a key role herself Ms Laurent proves herself worthy to join such other French actor-directors as Valerie Lemercier, Toni Marshall, Nicole Garcia, Ann Fontaine and Agnes Jouai. One to savor.
Review of The Adopted
