La Tête haute

Emmanuelle Bercot tells the phenomenally acted, well-motivated story of a juvenile delinquent and the disparity between poverty and justice. A boy born to a drug addicted teen mother soon finds himself in a situation much the same, bouncing in and out of Juvenile Homes. While there is no way to deny the social relevance of the topic, the film’s runtime may be an obstacle in getting that message across. The length depicts the repetitive and daunting cycle of the career criminal, but borders on excruciating as a viewing experience. Still, if you want to be moved to true empathy, Rod Paradot’s portrayal of Malony and his confused rage might just get you there. In company with an amazing supporting cast, he taps into the feral desperation  of those stuck in circumstances outside their control. Even as he abuses others in the truly horrifying ways that can only be summed up in a scene where he slams a table into a pregnant woman’s stomach, Bercot somehow elicits empathy. You can’t help but to understand how Standing Tall is the only way to be above the hurt.