Rent Private Property (2006)

Atmosphere but no content - Private Property review by JD

Scenes would often be static and without dialogue. There was a slow movement to it and sometimes subtle interaction was beautifully acted but it could also be boring and the ending is as pointless as you might expect from the entire film.

Belgian family woes - Private Property review by AW

Belgian French-speaking film about fractured family relationships. Pretty rural location but looked a bit lonely which probably added to the gloomy atmosphere.

Pascale (Huppert) is keeping her family (twin sons) together after a painful divorce. It wasn't immediately obvious the boys were twins as both are quite different in appearances but are played by real-life brothers. Pascale has it hard; the boys have grown into teenagers with hormones. They are selfish and lazy and self-absorbed; she cooks and cleans and waits on them while they mock both her and their remarried father who at least comes around occasionally to visit and gives them money although that seems to annoy her.

I enjoyed the film on the whole as I am into Belgian movies after viewing the hugely successful comedy The OutLaws (Clan) from the Flemish side but this is quite the opposite.

Personally I would have chucked the sons out of the house once they started cutting up rough about her wanting some modicum of happiness with the kindly nextdoor neighbour, and suggesting the sensible notion of starting a B&B business or selling up. The boys seem convinced they have a right to keep the house which they don't and won't be told, and it spirals from there. They moan about money but are seen in nearly every scene consuming large amounts of food. Pascale also seems to be oblivious to raging teenaged hormones as she leaves loo doors open and brazenly showers in full view of one son shaving in the bathroom. Even the very first scene when she's trying on a negligee/ slip in front of a mirror she invites a son to give his opinion. Both boys eye her up subtly then end up crudely joking about their mother's (perceived lack of-) sex life. Francois seemed a bit more gentle and reasonable but Thierry went off the rails for no discernible reason so the ending comes as a bit of a shock but then no real resolution goes on from that, so I've deemed it only 3 star.

DVD from Lovefilm only has English sub titles.

Poor Casting - Private Property review by JT

Overall an enjoyable family drama but the casting was terrible.

How old were the sons meant to be. I picked up at one point teenage but they looked about 35.

Very odd behaviour between mother and sons, especially bathroom activity!!