Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky French subtitled film about growing up has profanity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Lou! Journal Infime
What's the Story?
Lou (Lola Lasseron) is a sweet, creative, quirky 12-year-old girl nursing her first serious crush on Tristan, whom she carefully (and secretly) photographically documents with scientific zeal from her rooftop balcony across the street. Mom (Ludivine Sagnier) is a reclusive single writer who hasn't quite gotten around to writing. Lou is worried about her mother, until she develops a crush of her own on the new neighbor and they suddenly find themselves dealing with very similar love lives.
Is It Any Good?
This is a highly stylized movie that leaves no quirky stone unturned. Sets are drenched in bold colors and filled with flea market bric-a-brac: vintage computers, clocks, cameras, mannequins. But the issues at the film's core are decidedly both modern and universal: first crushes, falling back into love, making and keeping friends, and navigating a city.
Casual profanity and some very European tween maturity make this better for older kids familiar with the worlds of Amelie or the like, but this will be a hit with creative teen journaling types who've just hit full boy-crazy mode.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about subtitled films. Do you like them? Why, or why not?
Do you think French living is as glamorous and sophisticated as movies make it out to be? Why, or why not?
Is the relationship between Lou and her mom realistic? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 8, 2014
- Cast : Lola Lasseron , Ludivine Sagnier
- Director : Julien Neel
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Studio Canal
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Run time : 104 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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