Enzo review – Laurent Cantet’s swan song is a heartfelt tale of youth and desire

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"'Enzo' at Cannes: A Reflective Drama on Youth and Identity from Laurent Cantet's Final Collaboration"

Enzo review – Laurent Cantet’s swan song is a heartfelt tale of youth and desire analysis cover image The Guardian 7.9
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/14/enzo-review-laurent-cantet-swan-song-robin-campillo-cannes-film-festival
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AI Analysis Average Score: 7.9
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TruthLens AI Summary

The film 'Enzo', which opens the Directors' Fortnight sidebar at Cannes, serves as a poignant exploration of youth, desire, and the struggles of self-identity, marking the final cinematic contribution of the late Laurent Cantet. Although Cantet passed away last year, he collaborated with Robin Campillo on the screenplay, and Campillo now directs the film, infusing it with his signature insight and clarity. The narrative centers around a 16-year-old boy named Enzo, who comes from a privileged background yet feels out of place in his own life. Living in a beautiful villa and facing pressure from his family to pursue traditional academic success, Enzo makes the rebellious decision to leave school and work as an apprentice on a construction site. This choice is met with disapproval from his father, a maths teacher, and his mother, an engineer, who believe that Enzo's artistic talents should lead him to a more respectable career in art school.

As Enzo struggles with his role on the construction site, he grapples with feelings of inadequacy and the weight of familial expectations. His performance at work is mediocre, and his family's social status shields him from the consequences of his incompetence. Enzo finds an unexpected connection with Vlad, a young Ukrainian worker facing his own moral dilemma regarding the ongoing conflict in his homeland. This relationship deepens Enzo's internal conflict, as he admires Vlad's sense of purpose and the gravity of his choices, contrasting sharply with his own perceived triviality. The film effectively captures the tragicomic essence of adolescence, highlighting the intensity of youthful idealism and the often-painful process of self-discovery. With 'Enzo', Campillo delivers a powerful narrative that resonates with the universal experiences of growing up, making it a fitting tribute to Laurent Cantet's legacy.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The article presents an in-depth review of "Enzo," a film directed by Robin Campillo, which is deeply rooted in themes of youth, desire, and socio-economic class. This film marks the last project of Laurent Cantet before his passing, adding a layer of poignancy to its release. The review combines a critique of the film's narrative and characters with reflections on broader societal issues.

Intention Behind the Article

The review aims to highlight the emotional and thematic depth of the film, positioning it as a significant cultural work that navigates the complexities of adolescence and personal identity within a privileged context. By doing so, it seeks to engage readers in a discussion about the struggles faced by youth today, particularly regarding societal expectations and personal aspirations.

Perception Creation

This piece attempts to foster an appreciation for nuanced storytelling in cinema, particularly in how it reflects contemporary issues of class and identity. It showcases the film as more than just entertainment; rather, it is a lens through which viewers can examine their own experiences and societal dynamics.

Hidden Aspects

While the review focuses on the film's artistic and thematic elements, it does not delve into potential criticisms regarding the representation of privilege or the socio-political context surrounding the characters' dilemmas. This omission may suggest an intention to maintain a positive depiction of the film and its creators.

Truthfulness of the Article

The review appears to be a genuine reflection on the film's content and its emotional resonance. It presents a balanced view of its characters and conflicts, although it may lean towards a more favorable interpretation given the film’s emotional weight and Cantet's legacy.

Societal Implications

By addressing themes of youth discontent and the search for identity, the article may resonate with younger audiences and provoke conversations about their realities in a changing world. Such discussions could have implications for how we view education, career choices, and personal fulfillment.

Target Audience

The review is likely to attract film enthusiasts, particularly those interested in arthouse cinema, as well as younger viewers who may identify with the film's protagonist. Its themes of personal struggle and existential questioning are universal, thus appealing to a broad audience.

Market Impact

While the film itself may not directly influence stock markets or specific shares, its critical reception could impact the distribution and financial success of similar films in the indie sector. A favorable review may encourage viewers to support independent cinema, potentially benefiting production companies focused on similar narratives.

Geopolitical Relevance

The film’s exploration of a Ukrainian character amidst the backdrop of conflict could resonate with current global tensions, particularly regarding Russia's actions. This connection could amplify the film's relevance and prompt discussions about youth engagement in global issues.

Artificial Intelligence in Writing

It is unlikely that AI played a significant role in the writing of this review, as it conveys a personal and subjective perspective typical of human critics. However, if AI were involved, it might have influenced the tone to align with cultural critiques prevalent in film journalism.

Manipulative Aspects

There are no overt manipulative elements in the article; rather, it presents a thoughtful analysis of the film. The language used is reflective and aims to engage readers emotionally, steering them toward a deeper understanding of the film's themes.

Through this analysis, the review of "Enzo" stands as a heartfelt tribute to both the film and its late director, while also inviting broader reflections on youth, identity, and societal expectations.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/14/enzo-review-laurent-cantet-swan-song-robin-campillo-cannes-film-festival

The directors fortnight sidebar of Cannes opens with a heartfelt, urgent drama about youth and desire – and destiny, sexuality and class. It is, effectively, the final movie of the lateLaurent Cantet, who died last year.

Cantet was working on the screenplay with his longtime collaborator and contemporary, Robin Campillo and it is Campillo who now directs – and brings to the movie his usual intelligence and clarity.

It is a story of growing pains and not fitting in and the painful mystery of being young. Enzo is a 16-year-old kid from a privileged background, living in a gorgeous villa with a swimming pool; to the intense chagrin of his maths teacher dad and engineer mum he has decided he wants to quit school and work with his hands on a building site as an apprentice. Meanwhile Enzo’s elder brother is poised for a prestigious university career.

Enzo is embarrassingly mediocre at the job and clearly it is only his family’s standing which prevents him from being fired. His father thinks this is a self-harming affectation which might seriously damage his future; he believes Enzo’s talent at drawing means he should apply to art school – a far more acceptable middle-class career path.

But of course this only makes stubborn Enzo more determined to tough it out at the building site where his incompetence baffles and annoys everyone. And Enzo is drawn to Vlad, a friendly young Ukrainian guy who is conflicted about not going back home to join the struggle against Russia.

Enzo is fascinated by the sheer grownup importance of everything Vlad represents: Vlad has a sense of identity and a dramatic dilemma which is gratifyingly real in both its options: stay in France and do manual labour like a real man – or go home and fight? How much more heroic and magnificent is Vlad’s existence, how much more real than silly, muddled, spoiled Enzo’s dreary life choices? And Enzo’s interest in Vlad is romantic in every other sense.

Of course, there’s something tragicomic and absurd about poor Enzo, absurd and humiliating in the way teenage yearning often is – and Enzo’s dad’s suspicion of self-harm turns out to be shrewder than he thought. Campillo and Cantet show us that the agonies of being young and existentially rebellious are not simply shallow and callow: they represent a state of idealism which is poignantly brief, like everything else about youth. It is another powerful, absorbing picture from Campillo and a fitting swan song for Laurent Cantet.

Enzo screened at the Cannes film festival

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Source: The Guardian