Standing Tall

"Less group-huggy than such inspirational pics as Lean on Me and Stand and Deliver, yet every bit as respectful of the pros who step in to educate and elevate disadvantaged youth."

"The film has a scrappy optimism about it that's often very winning, but it never draws itself up to its full height."

"Mr. Paradot's performance is so viscerally intense that there is no escaping its force."

"It's a movie with quiet strength and purpose, unembarrassed about its own optimism, perhaps inspired by Dardenne brothers movies such as Le Fils."

"With his coiled, jumpy intensity, Paradot - a carpentry student making his acting debut - is thoroughly convincing, provoking scorn as much as sympathy."

"A gritty and compassionate look at an adolescence riddled by violence, punishment and the idea that rehabilitation is a long way off, but not entirely out of the question."