Stella (2008)

A girl's life. Her parents own a bar and an adjoining hotel. They live there. She has difficulties at school and makes a friend from a very different social environment.

I can't find much to say about this film. The protagonist, a girl around 10 years old, wears the same listless expression throughout the film. When she is happy, the soundtrack bursts into pop songs from the 70's, the decade when the action is set. The point of the film seems to be exposing the sordid milieu in which the protagonist lives and her growing awareness of a vaster world to which she must endeavor to adapt. There are fine moments in it, although dullness is the predominant note. The supporting performances are, on the other hand, excellent, a special mention going to Rocher as the protagonist's mother.

Rating: 45