Lorna's Silence

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Kevin L @Lakeman 05/30/2022 Arta Dobroshi is exceptional as the lead in the Dardenne brothers' 'Lorna's Silence'. Her performance carries the film as she is in every scene in some part. As usual in a Dardenne film, physical display, particularly facial expression, say as much as any of the dialogue. For Dobroshi's part, there's little of that dialogue that communicates as well as her eyes as the title keeper of secrets. Her gaze in this film shifts from the static affect of one denying access to looks of concern, compassion and finally determination. Dobroshi's skilled acting more than makes up for shortcomings in the screenplay. We find out that Lorna is Albanian immigrant attempting to scam her way into Belgian citizenship. She has married a Belgian named Claudy played by Jérémie Renier, offering him cash for residency. They will divorce shortly later, according to the plan. As arranged by a gangster named Fabio (Fabrizio Rongione), Lorna is supposed to then marry a Russian man who will use her newly acquired citizenship to achieve his own Belgium citizenry. Lorna will then divorce the Russian and marry her true love, boyfriend Sokol (Alban Ukaj), with whom she has dreams of owning and operating their own snack bar. This sketchy plan that works in theory, but impatience and other issues complicate the scheme. Fabio decides that snuffing out Claudy would be faster than divorce for Lorna, and thus the money from the Russian. Besides, who's gonna miss junkie, right? Lorna's expressions tell us this is not going to be that easy as Claudy has become more than a mere patsy to her. She warms up to him, but it's really his desperation and innocence that reaches her. Claudy is just a pay day to Fabio and his henchmen. Lorna realizes that's likely her ultimate her fate as well. What she does next is fueled as much by a determination not to be silenced as it is from guilt. But her head is a mess of desperation to keep her head above water, guilt for Claudy, and her conviction that she is now pregnant with his child. Not one of the Dardennes' best films, but 'Lorna's Silence' is a success as much or more due to Dobroshi's stellar acting as the story line or directing. 3.4 stars See more nilufer e @Nilicim 12/30/2018 Lorna didn't seem all that silent if you ask me. I found this movie quite convincing and well acted however it was too slow for my taste and it didn't really give a moral I think. See more 07/26/2015 Slow-paced but effective drama of the harsh luck of immigrants See more 07/24/2014 une leçon de cinéma, techniquement incroyable (caméra à l'épaule exceptionnelle !) See more 06/21/2014 Debroshi anchors a film that is somber and slowly-paced . See more 09/11/2013 A cold, bleak Belgian film that gives equal importance both to what is not seen and heard and what is. "Lorna's Silence" is a rigid character study by the Dardenne brothers that will be challenging to many. The goal here was seemingly to reflect on the power of absence and silence, and while this focus makes it feel weightless and even pointless at times, these are intentional design choices that offer up food for thought with varying degrees of success. See more Read all reviews

Lorna's Silence

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