Freedom (2024) Parent Guide

It’s the 1980s and France is captivated by a string of high-profile robberies, all committed by Bruno Sulak (Lucas Bravo), a Foreign Legion deserter. Along with his girlfriend Annie (Léa Luce Busato) and a group of accomplices, Sulak takes a non-violent approach to his crimes, refusing to ever fire a gun.

There is only one adjective that truly captures the essence of Freedom and that is: French. I’m not well-versed in French cinema, but this production is exactly what I imagine that category to be. The scenes are beautifully shot, the actors mournful with an ever-present cigarette, and the relationships passionate. It’s also shallow, pretentious, and boring, which I can’t blame on the world of French cinema but will lay at the feet of director Mélanie Laurent.

On the flip side, this film has excellent production values. The cinematography and scenery are breathtaking, and the camera moves around its subjects in interesting ways. The score is haunting, and the performances are skillful. This movie looks like it was made by people who know what they’re doing and were given the money to do it.

However, the script is paper thin, as is the story, which is particularly odd given that it’s based on real life events. If you’re looking for a crime thriller, you won’t find it here. And I’m not criticizing the decision to make a slower, more introspective exploration of Bruno Sulak, but the writers forgot to add the introspection. The script doesn’t dive into any of the character’s motivations or relationships, which creates a film with no substance. I learned nothing, felt nothing, and will have forgotten this film exists as soon as I collect my paycheck.

With explicit nudity and sex, lots of F-bombs, and graphic drug use, this is not a show for most audiences, and the pretention and shallowness are sure to drive away those that don’t care about the negative content. Perhaps French audiences will enjoy it, but I don’t think Freedom is going to find international appeal.