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Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne direct this realist psychological drama set in Liege, Belgium. Arta Dobroshi stars as the protagonist of the title, a young Albanian woman stuck in a marriage of convenience with junkie Belgian Claudy (Jeremie Renier). It turns out that this is a strategic marriage set up by a Russian gangster, and that the eventual plan is for Claudy to be murdered and Lorna to then re-marry the gangster so that he could gain the Belgian citizenship he needs. Meanwhile, Lorna entertains modest dreams of opening a snack bar with her boyfriend Sokol (Alban Ukaj).
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Richard Hine
Format:DVD
The Silence of Lorna is the latest from the writing-directing-sibling duo Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. These Belgian brothers have a unique style--gritty, naturalistic, and focused on marginalized individuals struggling at the edges of today's "integrated" European society. But they also are a part of (and have influenced) a new wave of slow-burning, thought-provoking European cinema (the Austrian movie "Revanche" and the Romanian "Police, Adjective" spring to mind) that include thriller-like elements while allowing stories to unfold slowly, and rewarding patient viewing. Not surprisingly, these kinds of movies are not huge moneymakers in the blockbuster-oriented, subtitle-averse US market. Jeremie Renier who played a central role in the Dardennes' previous movie, the Palme d'Or-winning The Child (L'enfant) [DVD] [1991], is a major character here, too. He's the junkie Claudy, whom Albanian-immigrant Lorna, played by Arta Dobroshi, has married in order to get the Belgian citizenship which will then pave the way for a bigger payday when she ends her first marriage and marries a wealthy Russian who's looking to set up in Belgium. The story is told from Lorna's perspective and Arta Dobroshi's breakthrough performance not only holds the whole movie together it also slowly reveals the psychological complexities of a character who is barely one rung above her supposedly disposable junkie husband on society's ladder. Despite her revolving door approach to arranged marriages, Lorna has a real boyfriend, Sokol, who is fully aware of the arrangements she's making with Fabio, the taxi-driver-mobster who is trying to make inroads with the Russians. Lorna and Sokol plan to use the money from Lorna's second marriage to open a snack bar.... Read more ›
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I agree with the first reviewer that the Dardennes brother have made better movies (most notably Rosetta), but also think that it's a movie well worth watching. The acting is extremely good and the direction manages to be both strong and subtle. They've managed to make the movie primarily through the point of view of the main character, while keeping a kind of distance at the same time. (it's probably a bit confusing as an explanation, but it's so unusual in a way that you'd probably have to see the movie to get my point). As to whether you'll enjoy it or not, you'd rather be the type of person who enjoys the journey at least as much as the destination, or your reaction will be like the one of the second reviewer.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Dardennes Bros. latest is different than previous films,shot on 35mm film this time not close up,but more objectively and in Liege,the city, rather than rural town they usually film in.Also immigrants would go to a city.The theme is the commercialization of life at the margins to the characters in their films,when they come to see that human life is priceless.Lorna(Arta Dobroshi) is an Albanian immigrant living in Belgium in a fake marriage to a local drug addict,Claudy(Jeremie Renier),who dreams of leaving her dull, dry-cleaning job to set up a snack bar with her boyfriend,Sokol.Her arranger,Fabio(Fabrizio Rongone),the taxi-driver wants to kill Claudy with an OD, so she is a widow rather than divorcee.He has a wealthy Russian mobster lined up to be her next husband,so he can gain citizenship.She,however,contemptuous of Claudy at first and cold, sleeps separately and gets pulled in to his cold turkey needs when he pleads for her help like a wounded dog.She gets him hospitalized and helps him when he wants to kick the habit.She then resists the killing of Claudy and wants a quick divorce. Asking Fabio to ask the Russian for more time,she will get Claudy to beat her up to obtain a divorce.Fabio goes along with this.
But Claudy will not hit her and she tries to knock bruises into her flesh by hitting walls.Fabio says obtaining a divorce will cost her 5000 euros from the 10000 she'll get by marrying the Russian.Fabio wants to avoid divorce as it will involve the police,but she goes to the police to get her bruises recorded.She would also need witnesses. She asks a nurse dressing her wounds to be her witness. Lorna meets up with her boyfriend, Sokol, an Albanian immigrant periodically,shows him her new Belgium ID.He gives her money to put in their account towards the café.... Read more ›
But Claudy will not hit her and she tries to knock bruises into her flesh by hitting walls.Fabio says obtaining a divorce will cost her 5000 euros from the 10000 she'll get by marrying the Russian.Fabio wants to avoid divorce as it will involve the police,but she goes to the police to get her bruises recorded.She would also need witnesses. She asks a nurse dressing her wounds to be her witness. Lorna meets up with her boyfriend, Sokol, an Albanian immigrant periodically,shows him her new Belgium ID.He gives her money to put in their account towards the café.... Read more ›
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Dardennes Brothers join the select ranks of sibling movie teams (Coens, Maysles etc) which regularly garner awards and critical praise. The Dardennes certainly deserve it, and even their lesser work is more worthy of attention than the better work of many. Most of the Dardennes Brothers films are concerned with redemption in some form or other. Le Silence de Lorna is no exception, and while it doesn't have the satisfying shape of "L'Enfant" and "Rosetta", it still has considerable resonance and substance.
Initially, Lorna is an Eastern European immigrant to Belgium (though made in 2008, this is Europe pre-enlargement). She has made an arranged marriage with a junkie, Claudy, to obtain citizenship. Now it is coming through, she is concerned to dump him as quickly as possible, and move into another arranged marriage, this time with a rich Russian, so he in turn can get citizenship. This arrangement will be made through a shady gang headed by Fabio, a taxi-driver. As well as being in this marriage, she has a relationship with Sokol, another immigrant, and dreams of opening up a snack bar with him, using the money she'll earn from the Russian deal.
But Claudy is determined to come off the drugs. Although she treats him with absolute detachment and coldness, his need for her during the withdrawal symptoms (harrowingly shown), his essential optimism and decency, wears down her barriers until the relationship is not one of convenience any more. So - and here is where the title comes in - the gang arranges for Claudy's death through a forced drug overdose, with Lorna's silent knowledge and connivance.
After his death, the gang's plans are put in jeopardy when Lorna discovers she's expecting a baby by Claudy, which she refuses to abort.... Read more ›
Initially, Lorna is an Eastern European immigrant to Belgium (though made in 2008, this is Europe pre-enlargement). She has made an arranged marriage with a junkie, Claudy, to obtain citizenship. Now it is coming through, she is concerned to dump him as quickly as possible, and move into another arranged marriage, this time with a rich Russian, so he in turn can get citizenship. This arrangement will be made through a shady gang headed by Fabio, a taxi-driver. As well as being in this marriage, she has a relationship with Sokol, another immigrant, and dreams of opening up a snack bar with him, using the money she'll earn from the Russian deal.
But Claudy is determined to come off the drugs. Although she treats him with absolute detachment and coldness, his need for her during the withdrawal symptoms (harrowingly shown), his essential optimism and decency, wears down her barriers until the relationship is not one of convenience any more. So - and here is where the title comes in - the gang arranges for Claudy's death through a forced drug overdose, with Lorna's silent knowledge and connivance.
After his death, the gang's plans are put in jeopardy when Lorna discovers she's expecting a baby by Claudy, which she refuses to abort.... Read more ›
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Dardennes Brothers Tale Of Guilt And Redemption
This 2008 film written and directed by Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardennes is another of their trademark hard-hitting and realistic dramas focusing on society's... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Keith M
1.0 out of 5 stars
So long
This film is so long. The plot is confusing without any clear hints of whats happening and film direction seems very weak. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dooscah
4.0 out of 5 stars
Challenging
A compelling though dour film. Relevant story about immigration, criminalisation and exploitation; not easy entertainment. Has been shown on tv
Published 14 months ago by Derek
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good film, disappointing ending
There is nothing to lose by revealing the ending - the other reviewers have already done so. I enjoyed (if that's the right word) this film right up until Lorna refuses to believe... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2010 by Abaco Books
5.0 out of 5 stars
A pocket masterpiece
Ignore the bellend who's given the film one star - he'll be entitled to an opinion when he can actually string a sentence together. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2010 by loxley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not the Dardennes' Best, But a Worthy Addition
Don't have much to say, but someone has to counter the clownish review here present. A certain repetition has crept into the Dardennes' oeuvre, which diminishes the impact of each... Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2009 by Sam Adams
1.0 out of 5 stars
SO DISAPPOINTING
What is a good film?
In my opinion it's a film that gets both critical and public acclaim,a film that you want to watch 2,3 10 times,a film with a quality plot, a beginning,a... Read more
In my opinion it's a film that gets both critical and public acclaim,a film that you want to watch 2,3 10 times,a film with a quality plot, a beginning,a... Read more
Published on 2 April 2009 by Michel Boucaud
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