Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis is one of the best European films ever made. All the characters are so plain and true to life, and yet so charming and interesting and... well, beautiful that I find it hard not to fall in love with one of them. Camera work is brilliantly done and provides the film with a surrealist glow. Although there is some deep grieving in the film (Harry's past is very sad, as well as Denise's) there is so much subtle and less subtle humor that Manneken Pis (also the name of a small but famous statue in Bruxelles that waters on passing traffic) is not depressing. I find everything about this film great, but still I'd like to give extra credit to Antje de Boeck, Ann Petersen and especially Frank Vercruyssen, whose looks and personality are heart-melting. Director Frank van Passel and writer Christophe Dirickx have done a marvellous job.