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Overall Rating
4.68

Awesome84%
Worth A Look: 8%
Average: 2%
Pretty Bad: 4%
Total Crap: 2%

2 reviews, 38 user ratings


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by punkass

"Cinema at its very best. WATCH THIS MOVIE!"
5 stars

It's not often a film truly crosses the boundary between entertainment and art, but everything about this film is so right, it comes across as poetry. The American name sucks, but apart from this 'La Haine' is perfect in every other way.

Paris is often portrayed as a sexy, sophisticated, haute-culture paradise where the average mans chief worry is running out of Gitaines. Yet this film exposes its underbelly, the grim reality for the thousands of immigrants and unemployed who live in Parises suburbs and projects. Charting the lives of three youths during the Parisian riots, it asks tough questions about racism, inequality and police brutality.

The acting is superlative. Each of the three main actors seems to live their part. There is a real feeling of witnessing what is going on in their lives - the boredom, the anger, as well as the hopes and aspirations of any adolescent.

Yet the main prize must go to Kassovitz. He directs, scripts, edits and acts in this film, and performs each job admirably. The direction is vivid, dynamic and beautiful, and the script captures the feeling of much of the youth in France at the time. But don't just take my word for it - when this film opened in France it caused real life riots.

The mood is devoid of the romanticism of many films about life on the wrong side of the tracks, and the black and white cinematography suits it down to the ground. This is a bleak and disturbing film, with a sense of doom and inevitability seeping into every frame. Yet it is also visually exciting, and packs a mean punch. Just thinking about the ending sends shivers down my spine.

I know that everyone who joins up with HBS bangs on about one film which they think is an 'undiscovered' classic, but I really can't recommend this highly enough. Everyone I know who has seen this loves it, and many say it has had a profound effect on them. As long as racial and social inequalities continue, this film will continue to be relevant.

Yes, it's in Black & White, and I know it's in French, but that doesn't detract from its power in any way. You owe it to yourself to track this one down, it is one of the best films I've ever seen.

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link directly to this review at http://efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=4370&reviewer=215
originally posted: 06/01/00 08:23:11
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User Comments

6/21/07 fools♫gold Honestly, there must be something wrong with you if you don't give this an expert score. 5 stars
2/15/07 William Goss Striking direction elevates familiar, rambling tale of aimless, angry youth. 4 stars
1/27/05 Fredzon_mandela My favorite film of all time 5 stars
11/02/04 sc A spoiled child's pseudo rebel look at society. Skilled but sickening. 2 stars
10/31/04 Daveman La Haine is big on overstatement, one never gets the sense that these characters are real. 3 stars
8/22/04 tatum Just a French variation of "Boyz N the Hood," and a bore to boot 2 stars
8/02/04 P.Rodriguez Wonderful stuff. BEst ending in a film so far 5 stars
6/21/04 Roo Stunning, yet heartbreaking....your right, it so rocks! 5 stars
3/17/04 lulu excellent perspective on french suburbs! i recommend it to anyone! 5 stars
5/12/03 pat i bum this film!! it rocks 5 stars
2/15/03 Patton Hands down one of the greatest movies. 5 stars
1/24/03 richie great 5 stars
1/16/03 mattyfresh This is INSANE!! fuck the police 5 stars
1/10/03 olivia it was amazing if u like any film ever made u owe it to yourself to watch this 5 stars
12/03/02 mr. Pink Slightly boring in some parts, but has enough good perfs and flourishes to keep you hooked. 4 stars
11/11/02 Lo' You have to see it ! C'est un ordre ! Vous devez le voir ! It is an order ! 5 stars
10/30/02 Tommy The best movie ever made! 5 stars
9/11/02 Chris Very Good Stylish, and french what more could you want 5 stars
8/16/02 amy the best movie ive ever seen 5 stars
6/05/02 christopher lenette wicked picture 5 stars
4/01/02 Filip Baeyens La Haine ends with a blow. A slap in your face, a bullet departing, a society crashing down 5 stars
2/18/02 Jim Jones Absolutely brilliant, its time people sat up and realised what really goes on 5 stars
1/28/02 Manon Olegasageram No one in possession of a soul/conscience/sense of aesthetics can fail to be stunned. 5 stars
12/09/01 hhaled youssef defineing moment for the 90's 5 stars
10/08/01 Lisa C'est le meilleur film que j'aie jamais vu, it is the best film i have seen ever! 5 stars
10/07/01 Aichka K. A great movie that reveals reality underneath the beauty & glamour of Paris. 5 stars
9/25/01 FYFE_DIGGY Was excellent for my freedom and authrity class at CC 4 stars
6/21/01 Joyce Grosswiler spellbinding 5 stars
4/03/01 Dave Fucking amazing loved every minute of it 5 stars
3/22/01 CandyPSU This was one of the most moving and truthful movies that I have ever seen! 5 stars
3/07/01 Andrew Superb! One of the best films I've ever seen. 5 stars
1/22/01 Tope Adeyemi I can not articilate how much i love this movie or why. 5 stars
1/14/01 Jim This was an episode of COPS! SUCKED 1 stars
1/11/01 flisk An extremely well structured film with a powerful narrative which many can relate to! 5 stars
10/18/00 Ben Bundock One of the best films I have ever seen 5 stars
9/02/00 Fishsticks Great stuff, indy and aggessive 5 stars
6/21/00 Petain Great flick. Looked like an episode of COPS. 4 stars
6/03/00 JonnyA Very cool flick 5 stars
IF YOU'VE SEEN THIS FILM, RATE IT!
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USA
  23-Feb-1996 (R)

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