CROSS MY HEART
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1997 Ben Hoffman
A simple story about innocence trying to cope with the pain and uncertainties in an adult world and how other innocents try to help their friend. This gentle film is about Martin, a young boy, perhaps 8 or 9 years old, who lives with his mother. He does not know who his father is; his mother promises one day to tell him.
In school Martin is frequently in little troubles earning visits to the principal's office. And so when his mother dies, he doesn't tell anyone for three days. He's heard about orphanages and is not about to take a chance.
A couple of schoolmates come calling at his home and discover the reason he has not been to school these last several days. In order to keep it a secret they decide to get a coffin, or a long box, and bury the mother. Cross My Heart apparently refers to what each child promises as more and more are let in on the secret because the body is too heavy and where does one get a long box? How about the antique grandfather clock of a friend?
Odd behavior and undone lessons lead to Martin being told to have his mother sign a note saying she is aware there is a school problem. When that is overcome (one of the girls forges the signature), he is asked to bring his mother to school. All kinds of subterfuges are used by the children (such as a false bomb scare) to keep the secret from coming out.
A sad, sensitive film. (Not to be confused with the poor 1987 film of the same name that starred Martin Short and Annette O'Toole.)
In French with English subtitles.
Directed by Jacques Fansten
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Ben Hoffman
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