Le refuge 2009

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: One of the pleasures of Hideaway (Le Refuge), from Francois Ozon, an erratic talent of satisfying films like Under the Sand and misfires like 8 Women, is its insistence on ambiguity. Read more

David Fear, Time Out: There's beaucoup simmering sexual tension, as well as the prolific French director's usual thematic preoccupations: death and grief, familial animosity and female awakening. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: Hideaway bottles up stormy feelings of grief, guilt, and desire so tightly that register only in a few sharp, impetuous bursts. The rest of the time, it's dull and inscrutable -- a film of almost vaporous subtlety. Read more

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: Hideaway" is a spellbinding film, and Ozon, who is perhaps best known for the much darker Under the Sand and Swimming Pool ... continues to be an inspiring director of actors. Read more

David Denby, New Yorker: Read more

V.A. Musetto, New York Post: Surely, Ozon had Rohmer in mind when he co-wrote and directed this lovely film. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: For a time in her life, a woman's pregnancy is the most important thing about her. That is the subject of Hideaway. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Gradually, Ozon and the actors convince us of the reality of this world and persuade us to watch the film on its own, unforced terms. Nothing much is happening, except life. Read more

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: It's short and even slight, more of an observational short story of a film than a rich novel, but it's entrancing and moving nonetheless. Read more

Dennis Harvey, Variety: Read more

Ernest Hardy, Village Voice: Though the psychological layering and thematic ambition of the screenplay do not quite result in the depth intended, Hideaway's unsentimental performances will hook you. Read more

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: Sometimes a movie makes a point that's been made before, but makes it so beautifully and so quietly that it feels like you're discovering it for the first time. Read more