A brilliant film that helped define a genre

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

I've just seen this film on a festival, and having grown up in the Eighties, I enjoyed it a lot. (And I wonder whether it gets screened a lot these days, encouraging children to found secret pirate clubs, run away and have adventures...) Those were the days: running around without safety helmets and mobile phones, climbing trees, and even catching live chicken --! Well, that's about it in the action department, and that's why the movie depicts a great and believable children's adventure. The young (and especially the elderly) actors did a very endearing performance, and the story unfolds without hectic and really engaging.Maybe a bit too long for real children, but worth seeing!