A bizarre and compelling story of family secrets based on the novel by Ian McEwan (who also wrote the novel upon which The Comfort of Strangers is based), this British film tells the complex tale of four children who conspire to hide their dead mother's body to avoid being split apart and sent to an orphanage. Their deception works for a while, as they become a self-sufficient family unit. Soon, however, mistrust and a deeply antagonistic relationship between the older siblings rife with sexual overtones, as well as a snooping suitor with designs on the older sister, threaten to destroy their well-constructed facade. Adapted and directed by Andrew Birkin, this offbeat film is disturbing but a riveting find for anyone interested in new discoveries from the world of international film. --Robert Lane
(15 votes)
2.
Teenage brother-and-sister Jack and Julie are faced with a quandary when their parents both die: report the deaths to the authorities, which would lead to the family's separation, or keep the truth hidden.
Jack and Julie choose to stay in their home with their younger sister and brother. So they bury the bodies and shut their mouths.
But as time goes on, Jack grows increasingly strange. And Julie's involvement with yuppie developer Derek doesn't help matters.
Especially when Derek starts poking around the basement... where he just might find a lot more than he expected.
(15 votes)
3.
"Hypnotic and Haunting! A hothouse of sexual tension and secret longing that is hard to shake." -Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE
Andrew Birkin's chilling adaptation of Ian McEwan's (The Comfort Of Strangers) novel is a disturbing tale of childhood survival in a moral wasteland. Fearing foster homes and adoption, four recently orphaned siblings decide to keep their mother's death a secret, burying her in a cement locker in the basement.
The Lolita-like Julie (Charlotte Gainsbourg of Jane Eyre and The Little Thief), quickly adapts to the role of surrogate mother, caring for the younger children and picking up a thirtysomething boyfriend. Fifteen-year old Jack, however, is only concerned with his developing sexuality and his increasing infatuation with his sister.
When the intrusive curiosity of Julie's boyfriend threatens to expose their secret, Jack finally assumes the mature role of family protector. As he slowly wins Julie's respect, their gentle flirtation results in a devastating and forbidden consummation. Fraught with sexual tension and suspense, The Cement Garden is a chilling look at unrestrained adolescent desire.
(15 votes)
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