French Film "Being 17" by Director Andre Techine

Andre Techine (b France 1943) is a highly regarded & honored director/screenwriter following in the footsteps of famous French directors such as Truffaut & Malle.  "Being 17" captures the essence & range of human emotions, frailties & resiliencies.  The 2 main leads in the film are credible & intriguing  high school students.  The movie is set amongst the scenice backdrop of the French countryside.  The seasons are as much as vital to the movie as the plot.   You can feel the soft snow falling & your boots crunching and smell the fragrant dawning of spring.  Thomas trudges long distance & mountainous terrain to his familiy's dairy farm by bus & on foot.  The terrain is breathtaking, particularily the moonlight winter landscapes where Thomas finds solace & plunges into the icy lake.  He's time consuming commute to the high school is taking its toll on Thomas' studies.  Damien & Thomas are in classes together at the same school.  Damien lives in close proximity to campus & both his parents are professionals.  Damien's mother is a physician & his father an army helicpoter pilot.   Damien & Thomas have a very contentious & aggressive relationship.  Unaware of the animosity between Thomas & her son, Thomas' mother becames a patient & she offers to take Thomas into their home during his mother's convalescence.  It's no surprise that the battling foes eventually become infatuated lovers.  The delight of the film stems from the gamut of human emotions and quotidian experiences.  The dawning sexual awareness is the driving force to this artful & majestic film that conveys maturation, tribulations & the triumphant human spirit.  Some may consider "Being 17" as slow as watching snow melt.  I saw this film & it warmed my heart & enlivened my spirit.  Damien confides to his mother that Thomas punched him because he had attempted to kiss him.  Damien asks his mother if she has anything to say she replies "No, I'm listening to what you're have telling me."  C'est la vie.