The Hedgehog

Paloma is 11 years old and incredibly philosophical for her age. She wears wire-framed glasses, has chaotic blonde curls and lives in an exclusive Parisian apartment with a bourgeoisie family which she is determined not to grow up anything like. In fact, Paloma has vowed, if nothing has changed by her twelfth birthday, that she would rather kill herself than graduate into the “goldfish bowl” of adult lives she has witnessed over her past eleven years .

On the ground floor of the very same building resides Renee. She is a stereotypical janitor; middle-aged, reliable, reclusive and slightly unkempt. Yet, unexpectedly, behind the curtains of Renee’s modest lodgings exists a sensitive academic woman, piles of books and great passion for literature, film and the arts (you should note: there will be references to Tolstoy in this film - Mozart too!).

The two resident’s lives intersect when they encounter their new neighbor, Kakuro Ozu. Mr Ozu is charming, sophisticated widower and immediately sees beyond their awkward exteriors. As the date of Paloma’s pending suicide approaches the three begin to stumble upon each other in subtle ways and uncover small pieces of each other’s lives. Maybe these authentic human encounters will change Paloma’s mind?

Of course! You see, The Hedgehog is the screen adaptation of Muriel Barbery’s bestselling French novel entitled The Elegance of the Hedgehog. It’s a book that has sold well over one million copies in France which probably means the film will automatically do pretty well too. As for the rest of the world that is less familiar with the book? – I’m not so sure. The film just feels like a book turned into a movie. You know the ones? I wish I could explain what I mean a little better, but I really can’t find a way, so I’ll play my rookie film reviewer card just this once, if I may.

The ending was surprising and redeems the story somewhat. It comes somewhat abruptly and the meaning of the book’s title, The Elegance of the Hedgehog is revealed. Some might argue it is a lazy and predictable end, but my wife and I left the cinema strangely satisfied (she says ‘refreshed’ and ‘bittersweet’) at the story we’d been whisked away in for an hour and a half.

You probably have already figured that Paloma does not end up killing herself. Rather, The Hedgehog is a relaxed and well-made story of literature and love and being accepted for who we really are. I’ve watched a bunch of French films over the past few months and compared to these The Hedgehog does not disappoint – It just doesn’t really stand out all that much either.

By C. Alex de Freitas 23 March, 2010