Nenette and Boni (Nénette et Boni) (1996)

83% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(382 ratings)

Nenette (Alice Houri) is a 14-year-old girl with an attitude problem who runs away from her boarding school only to knock on the door of her older brother Boni (Gregoire Colin). Boni has his own problems most of which center around an erotic fixation with the baker's sexy wife (Valeria… More Nenette (Alice Houri) is a 14-year-old girl with an attitude problem who runs away from her boarding school only to knock on the door of her older brother Boni (Gregoire Colin). Boni has his own problems most of which center around an erotic fixation with the baker's sexy wife (Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi). He is very reluctant to take Nenette in. Then he finds out she is pregnant. As their relationship grows and adjusts, each begins to understand what maturity it takes to bring a new life into the world. Claire Denis, best known for her film Chocolat, directed. This French film won top honors at the 1996 Locarno Film Festival. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Claire Denis
Written By: Jean-Pol Fargeau, Claire Denis
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Aug 12, 1996 Limited
On DVD: May 26, 2009
Studio: Strand Releasing

Critic Reviews

Aaron Hillis, GreenCine
It's a melodramatic premise on paper that, in the wrong hands, might have succumbed to the sensationalism of its mildly incestuous undertones.
Rob Nelson, Nashville Scene
The films of French director Claire Denis often chart the flow of energy between two dissimilar people while contemplating their place within the larger community.
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
Perhaps Denis's most approachable mix of humanism and erotic meditation.
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
A sibling drama of unsentimental urban grit and swooning lyricism.
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International
Captures the fragile and fleeting impression you often have of life, that's actually closer to life itself than the more comforting, linear perspectives of narrative film.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
... elliptical told drama that has mood trump over substance.
Nick Davis, Nick's Flick Picks
Surely the least satisfying, least commanding work by its formidable director.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mike T

Unusual, dreamy, and immersive. Claire Denis keeps a grip on the audience's senses while venturing into edgy subject material. The performances are naturalistic and powerful, and the music by Tindersticks underlines the overall tone of the film. A beautiful, surprising,… More
Unusual, dreamy, and immersive. Claire Denis keeps a grip on the audience's senses while venturing into edgy subject material. The performances are naturalistic and powerful, and the music by Tindersticks underlines the overall tone of the film. A beautiful, surprising, compelling film.