its impossible to call au revoir les enfants a bad film. the story is of the friendship between two boys in a french school , one jew and the other genteel, during the german occupation of france. naturally the end is not exactly happy, but the tragedy is so far removed from the film that it does not really make an impact. much like other holocaust films that do so well instead of dwelling in the difficult to watch we are treated with the sweet harmless story of two sweet boys and their times in a catholic boarding school. its all very good looking in that arty way. soft focus stone walled interiors, moist eyed children and the stomp of german boots on floors. a vague sentimental sadness is pleasant to watch- you might even sob a little when the kids get separated; and then you can walk out thinking you saw something profound too. win win.
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