A precocious 11-year girl named Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic) equipped with her father’s camera has been chronicling the lives of the people around her. One of the most fascinating subjects to her is the dowdy superintendent of the luxury apartment she lives in, Renee Michel (Josiane Balasko). Paloma calls her the Hedgehog because she is all prickly on the outside, but she also suspects that underneath she is soft and a bit of a romantic. To Paloma’s thinking, Madame Renee has found the perfect hiding place in her job.
Renee Michel is a woman of routine. Her office apartment opens exactly at 8:00 A.M. and don’t bother coming early, you will be sent away. She dutifully distributes the mail, collects packages, cleans the lobby and makes sure that the trash cans are brought in every week. But when not on duty she withdraws into her inner sanctum with a hot pot of tea, a good book and some dark chocolate.
When Paloma discovers Renee’s secret life she asks her why she keeps her extensive library hidden. Renee explains that rich people don’t like to have their menials educated and that they enjoy feeling superior. Besides, she doesn’t want to be bothered, she likes her secret life. But when a new tenant moves in, a rich, widowed, Japanese businessman, he sees right through her disguise. He quickly picks up on a literary reference and from her expression he knows that he has discovered a kindred spirit.
Kakuro Ozu (Togo Igawa) is a kind, democratic man and he invites Renee to dinner in newly decorated home. He also opens up his life to Paloma who is fascinated by Japanese culture and is learning to speak Japanese. The three of them become friends and Renee opens her life to Paloma as well. Paloma is an enigma to her own family but her new friends see her in ways that her family cannot. Paloma also sees through them and a bond is quickly formed. The Hedgehog is about acceptance, insight, and learning how to love. It is about seeing through one’s defenses and learning how to drop your own. The Hedgehog is a lovely story, bittersweet with a quiet impact. I really enjoyed this film and identified with it more than I can say.
Rating: First Run A movie about seeing people for who they really are
About Me
- Melanie Wilson
- My Reviewer's Philosophy: I believe that every film has its audience. One man’s Citizen Kane is another man’s Texas Chain Saw Massacre. My purpose is to help you spend your entertainment dollars wisely. A bad review never kept me from going to a film I wanted to see, but a good review will sometimes get me to a film I never considered. As a movie lover I want you to go to the movies. When more people go to the movies, the more movies get made. But, I also believe that if you enjoy the films you see, you naturally will be inclined to go more often. So join me in supporting our film industry by going to a movie today. Hopefully I can steer you towards a good one. See you at the movies. Melanie Wilson
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