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The Misfortunates

Play trailer Poster for The Misfortunates 2009 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 77% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A person grows up in a marginal family.

Critics Reviews

View All (19) Critics Reviews
Nicolas Rapold Village Voice The Misfortunates is often very funny, and the rolling remember-when vignettes trump the typical low-country wild-hairy-man sideshows. Nov 27, 2018 Full Review Jeannette Catsoulis NPR If Ken Loach and Roberto Benigni went into a bar, drank themselves into a stupor and emerged the next morning with a screenplay, it might look a lot like The Misfortunates. Jun 14, 2010 Full Review Wesley Morris Boston Globe The Misfortunates is a bleak comedy that's not as funny or grim as it needs to be. Rated: 2/4 Jun 10, 2010 Full Review Norman Wilner NOW Toronto It's only when the film needs to get serious... that it comes up a little short. Rated: 3/5 Nov 27, 2018 Full Review Corey Hall Metro Times (Detroit, MI) A debauched clan of Belgian mullet-heads backdrop a heatfelt comedy Rated: B Aug 2, 2010 Full Review Gerald Peary Boston Phoenix The Misfortunates moves from intentionally depressing to, in the end, mildly uplifting -- but that likely comes too late to win over an audience that's been strapped to such a vulgar, offputting ensemble. Rated: 2.5/4 Jun 10, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (86) audience reviews
matthias s *De Helaasheid der Dingen* is a powerful, beautifully crafted film that has stayed with me ever since I saw it in theaters. Its raw storytelling and flawless writing dive deeply into themes of life, growing up, and family dysfunction, creating an experience that feels both painfully real and darkly humorous. The film's ability to balance comedy and drama is exceptional, making each moment unpredictable yet relatable. The music perfectly complements the tone, adding emotional depth and making every scene hit harder. The cinematography is stunning, capturing gritty and familiar landscapes with an artistic touch that transforms them into something both haunting and beautiful. The actors’ performances are excellent, especially in conveying the sense of hopelessness and resilience that define the story. Watching familiar places from my hometown on screen adds a unique, personal connection. This film remains impactful and, to me, beautiful in every way—a true gem. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Audience Member Ülkemizde "Çölde Kutup Ayısı" diye gösterime giren filmin en güçlü yanı, 1980'lerin Belçika kırsalındaki Gunther'in şanssız, bol alkollü, tutunamayanların ortamında şekillenişi. Dram ile komedi dengesi güzel. Ayrıca büyümeyi reddeden Strobbe ailesine karşı bir büyümenin, oğulken baba olmanın hikayesi. Roy Orbison konseri sahnesi de akılda kalıcı... Ama film bir yerden sonra tekrara düşüyor ve yavanlaşıyor. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Inconsistent- All uncannily obnoxious for almost 3/4 of the whole film until that enlightenment thing suddenly popped out of nowhere. It is, nevertheless, better than watching a coming-of-age story being delivered by the exact same approach/tone one after another, again & again. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Film is ok. Book is genius. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the few movies that gripped me from the very first minute.The beauty of this movie is that you fall in love with it no matter how indifferent the characters ,the story or the circumstances appear to be. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member this is a bleak comedy that's not as funny or grim as it needs to be. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Misfortunates

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Cast & Crew

The Girl 92% 78% The Girl Watchlist Jolene 48% 44% Jolene Watchlist Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You 9% 35% Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You Watchlist Vanaja 86% 84% Vanaja Watchlist Linha de Passe 77% 72% Linha de Passe Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A person grows up in a marginal family.
Director
Felix van Groeningen
Producer
Dirk Impens
Screenwriter
Christophe Dirickx, Felix van Groeningen
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Dutch
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2017
Runtime
1h 48m