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Parents' Guide to

The Kid with a Bike

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Downbeat but powerful drama about childhood and love.

Movie PG-13 2012 87 minutes
The Kid with a Bike Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

Cyril (Thomas Doret) is an 11-year-old kid living in a boys' home. He's a quick thinker and a crafty liar, but also desperately looking for love. He dreams of living with his father, a selfish, childish lout (Jeremie Renier), who wants nothing to do with the boy. When Cyril's bike is stolen, a hairdresser, Samantha (Cecile De France), helps him find it. Cyril spontaneously asks if he can stay with her on weekends, and she quickly agrees. But just as things start to go well, a local thug, Wes (Egon Di Mateo), recruits Cyril to help with a robbery scheme. Will Cyril ever find the love, affection, and stability that he so longs for?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

Belgian brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne have made their career with series of quietly observant, subtly profound movies. The Kid with a Bike may be their most universal movie, packed with primal emotions, small beauties, and terrors so simple that they can almost pass by unnoticed. The first meeting of Cyril and Samantha, for example, happens with an embrace during a moment of chaos, and it may not resonate until much later.

If the movie has a drawback, it's that the low-key, realistic filmmaking style, with documentary-style hand-held cameras, doesn't seem to mesh with the adult characters; their behavior is more symbolic than realistic. Cyril's father, in flatly abandoning his son, cannot possibly generate any sympathy with any audience. And Samantha may baffle some viewers with her immediate, unquestioned acceptance of the huge responsibility of taking care of Cyril. However, the powerful emotions and themes are all there to be discovered at the viewers' own pace.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's fighting and violence. How realistic is it? Is it thrilling, or does it make you feel squeamish? How does it contribute to this story?

  • How does watching a movie with subtitles change your experience of a movie? Are you always aware that you're reading, or do you get swept away by the story? Are you eager or reluctant to watch subtitled movies?

  • This movie was nominated for a Golden Globe and won a prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Why do you think it got this kind of attention? What sets it apart from other movies you've seen?

  • Why would Cyril so quickly and easily fall in with the older teen? Could this older character be considered a bully?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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