Solemplex
To me, this movie is perfection.
Sexyloutak
Absolutely the worst movie.
skyhar24601
I find it interesting that there's not much room for mediocrity here. I see many 7-to-10 star reviews, but the two negative reviewers pulled out the one-star click as though this film were bottom-of-the-barrel. Even if I wasn't interested in the subject matter (which I am) or interested in watching people make an intelligent movie on a frugal budget (which I am), I think I'd be inclined to give the cast and crew the benefit of the doubt. There has been a prolonged and intelligent discussion on several websites as to this film's strengths and weaknesses, with concerns about the movie's direction conversed about thoughtfully and cogently. At any rate, potential viewers ought not be scared off by the inconsideration afforded this movie by a couple of reviewers. If anything, read those one-star reviews more thoroughly than the rest and note the spirit in which they were written, and also the lack of analysis. Then go watch TOMBOY if you haven't already. I'm an older guy who you'd think would be off watching science-fiction, action, or documentaries about 1970's rock bands. But TOMBOY caught my eye and certainly moved my heart and soul.
Cashflow808
This film was touching in many aspects. Laure wanted to be someone she wasn't, and she was accidentally given the opportunity to do so thanks to Lisa talking to her as if she were a boy upon their initial encounter. She crafts a male alter ego, Mikaël, and eventually builds on it, having what resembled a love affair with Lisa under her alter ego. I had a feeling that the truth about "Mikaël" would come out sooner or later, but the way in which it came out (and its aftermath) in the film was quite harsh, IMO. I think the humiliation that Laure endured could have been reduced if Laure's mother had simply accompanied Laure to a gathering of all the kids she had played with and then announced Mikaël's true gender/identity to them at the gathering and then continuing to watch over them. Also, the ending seems rather abrupt. It makes me wonder what Lisa's intentions were - did she simply want to find out Mikaël's true identity, or did she want to build a new relationship with Laure as her true feminine self? Since Lisa had mentioned earlier that "Mikaël" did not exist on the class lists, I would have had her continue by saying something along the lines of "Oh, so you are indeed in my class. See you in class then!"
leelooshn
How it reminded me of my own childhood!! Laure obviously wants to belong to the group, even to be a leader and more importantly to be liked in this new environment. Sadly the simplest way to achieve this for her is to pretend to be a boy (she did not "intend" to do it but played a game facing the mistake of Lisa). Yes, she could have go play footballs a girl but most probably the boys would not allow her because she is a girl or exclude her if she wouldn't be good enough (when she starts playing she is still quite insecure but accepted) Lisa explains she wants to play but was "excluded". Laure enjoys "boy's stuff"because they simply are fun: driving a car; or practical: having short hair. But guess what, she is not expected to do so as a girl! I believe this movie has nothing to do with trans-gender. It is about how society since the childhood reduces girls (and boys) to a particular role or look and makes it difficult for them to have individual preferences. Neither am I convinced that Laure is "in love" with Lisa. It goes with her role play and it gives her some attention. Laure is going to enter in the puberty, she is still a child and there is at her age no visible difference between the body of a boy or a girl..which the movie really points out. Except this tiny one thing that she can still fake in her speedo. She even forgets it until she has to pie....The only way to "see" a difference is to take off her pants! She is even physically stronger. But she already has to fit into the box of what girls do and don't: wear a dress for example. Why??? I believe she pretends to be a boy because she knows that she can still do it, in a couple of year she will have to let behind her fake attribute (she puts the penis with her child teeth as a souvenir of her childhood) and become a woman. The image of her pregnant mother is reminding her of the real and only difference between genders. As I wrote, I personally was a Tomboy because I wanted to play the same games as boys. Remember the film takes place in France and you can ask the female player of the best french female football team (OL) but many still think that you need a penis to kick a ball there... Childhood is just the beginning of facing the sad reality: what you have between your legs is going to determine your rights and duties. Laure has the merit to defy the rule because she gets the opportunity...I feel sad of how she gets punish for it. I feel this movie is totally realistic. I hope and wish tit will open the eye on this kind of sexist behavior that adult unconsciously encourage. And BTW I found the 2 sisters acted brilliantly!
Demonicaura
After seeing a preview for this movie I wanted to go out a see it. I spent weeks trying to find a local video store that carried this movie but I had no luck. Usually as a last resort, I end up purchasing the movie whether or not it was actually good or not just to see the movie. In the end I am glad I purchased it because it turned out to be an excellent movie. The plot summary is a little misleading because when a neighbor asks Laure what her name is, she tells the neighbor that her name is Mickäel which leads the neighbor to assume that Laure is a boy. Also if you factor in the fact that she had a boys haircut and was wearing boys clothing, I would have naturally assumed the same thing. After watching the movie I actually questioned whether she was a tomboy or a closeted transgender boy because the younger sister stated that Laure/Mickäel had in fact patented herself as a boy at their old home which might lead one to assume that she might be transgender and not a tomboy. The father and younger sister seem to be okay Laure male antics while the mother seems to be a little bit fearful about it. Despite the nudity by minors, not that it matter to me nor do I care, I thought that overall the movie was excellent and well worth the purchase. I would definitely watch the movie again and this is definitely a movie that I would recommend to others.
