French teens come of age in sensitive drama
“Wild Reeds,” a coming-of-age drama set in 1962 during the end of the Algerian War, is filled with sexual tension as four young people attempt to balance their human desires with inner conflict.<br /><br />Francois (Gael Morel), Maite (Elodie Bouchez), and Serge (Stephane Rideau) are friends at a French boarding school. Francois and Maite are best friends and have never been physically intimate. Uncertain of his sexuality, lacking experience, and trying to understand his desires,<br />Francois often confides in Maite, an attentive and sympathetic listener. Serge is a moody farm boy grieving the death of his older brother in the war. Francois and Serge have sex. Serge shrugs it off as a one-time experiment but Francois has strong feelings for him. A fourth student, Henri (Frederic Gorny) is an Algerian-born French boy  who fled with his family to France.<br /><br />Director Andre Techine’s semi-autobiographical film looks back at his final year in boarding school. Rather than strive for a nostalgic vibe, he takes a serious look at teenagers struggling with their self-image as war brings new faces into their circle. Think of “Wild Reeds” as a character study of four individuals who feel themselves to be outsiders.<br /><br />Francois doesn’t know where he fits in and is beginning to recognize his homosexuality. Maite and her mother are Communists at a time when Communism is in vogue. She is in love with intellectual Francois but frightened of a physical relationship. Serge is consumed with grief and anger. Henri is the odd fellow, new to his classmates. Sullen and bitter, Henri seems angry at everyone and everything. Maite calls him a fascist, yet surprisingly bonds with him when they see each other as troubled human beings. Techine establishes that although the social and political climate contribute to a person’s development, friendship and love might be more significant factors.<br /><br />Coming-of-age films proliferate and many are variations on the same template. But this sensitive film has a sincerity of purpose and characters that are believable and vulnerable. There is no picture-perfect resolution to the characters’ dilemmas and it’s clear that they are merely temporary episodes. It’s instead a glimpse into the lives of four teens transitioning into adulthood at a time when their environment is in turmoil as well. Neither children nor adults, they awkwardly make their way through life in search of their own identity.<br /><br />Bonus materials on the unrated Region A Blu-ray release include the video essay Discord, Bloom and Light: The Poetic Pulse of Andre Techine’s Wild Reeds, interview with Stephane Rideau, double-sided poster, and trailers.<br /><br />Though “Wild Reeds” doesn’t have a neat storybook ending, it’s clear that the characters have learned about themselves and grown as people. The screenplay, direction, and performances concentrate on how each new emotion affects characters. The conversations among the teenagers are mature, open, and extremely personal, which gives the movie authenticity.
The movie title "Wild Reeds [Blu-ray]," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.7 from 33 reviewers. 
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This title falls under the categories of Movies & TV, Featured Categories, Blu-ray and Drama. 
The additional details include the following in key-value format :
 {"Genre": "Drama, LGBTQ", "Format": "Blu-ray, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound, Subtitled, Restored, Digital Sound", "Runtime": "1 hour and 54 minutes", "Studio": "Altered Innocence", "Subtitle": "English", "MPAA rating": "NR (Not Rated)", "Media Format": "Blu-ray, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound, Subtitled, Restored, Digital Sound", "Run time": "1 hour and 54 minutes", "Country of Origin": "USA"}

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