The Adopted Review

29th Mar 2012

A film only the French could make. A beautiful story of love in all its forms and relationships, The Adopted is a sincere story of loss within a family.

Marine and Lisa are inseparable, speaking to each other every day, winding each other up in a way that only the sincerest of sisters can. Marine is also a second Mother to Leo, Lisa’s son and is an utterly integral part of the family. All this is even more touching because she has been adopted into the family when her own parents died. Millie, Lisa’s mother battled hard for Marine to live with them and Marine’s sense of family and home is strong thanks to this intervention.

Their idyllic bond is threatened when Marine falls hard for Alex. A whirlwind romance ensues and Lisa accuses Marine of forgetting all about the family in her haze of love. Marine considers putting Alex aside for Lisa, but thankfully realises she shouldn’t have to; that Lisa’s jealousy will have to be overcome by Lisa. But when Marine has an accident, Lisa and Alex are forced to come together and look after her.

A faithful insight into the effects of an outsider coming into a close-knit family, The Adopted is still full of whimsy and light-hearted moments. Leo is just a joy on screen and far from being precocious, he is just a delightful little boy who doesn’t understand what is happening around him. The scenes with him and Marine at the end are heartbreaking and very, very sweet.

A directorial debut for Melanie Laurent, I’m shocked that she not only stars as Lisa, but is also only 28. With such a perfectly crafted first film, I anticipate a long filmography from her.