PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Abegail Noëlle While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

jotix100 A brave teacher in charge of a preschool located in a depressed area, is at the center of this wonderful story of perseverance and courage. Daniel, is a selfless man that must fight constantly in order to get a meager help from the local authorities that instead of providing for his young charges, take away most of the assistance to the school, a demoralizing situation which Daniel must confront head on.The area in which the school is located was a big center for mining. The mines are long gone, but for people like Daniel's father, now living permanently with respiratory problems, it is hard to survive when even jobs have moved elsewhere. Daniel is more interested in the welfare of the families, some living without heat in their homes, having seen their electricity cut off. Daniel is an eternal optimist which shows in his work with the small kids in his care.Daniel is involved romantically with Valeria, an sculptor, with a small boy from a former relationship. Remi, the boy, has all the makings he will fall into gangs that have nothing better than vandalize the school, only to derail what Daniel has fought for with his teaching staff. Fortunately, he gets help from a social worker, Samia, who joints forces with Daniel fighting the bureaucracy.Bernard Tavernier, working on the screenplay with his daughter Tiffany, and Domenique Sampiero, created the right atmosphere in which to frame this story that rings so true and speaks volumes about the crisis most depressed areas have to deal with, not only in France, but in Europe, as well. The film is uplifting because in Daniel one sees an individual who will not hesitate to give his best in nurturing these vulnerable little minds adapt to the world around them. The story is told with realism, showing at the same time the evils in a society where despair takes hold of the people whose lives have changed forever.In Philippe Torreton, the director found a credible actor who shows an intelligence that surprises in his approach of playing Daniel. The actor impresses for his passionate approach to the role. Mr. Torreton has worked with Mr. Tavernier before, showing at ease with what the director wanted of him. The lovely Maria Pitarresi appears as Daniel's love interest, Valeria, and Nadia Kaci plays Samia.

silverauk If we see the movie by Bertrand Tavernier, we could draw a conclusion that schools nowadays in France are worse than let us say before the First World War. Apparently there are not sufficient financial means for the schools and the teachers are confronted with the enormous task of holding everything together. The schoolmaster Daniël Lefebre (Philippe Torreton) manages to be as well a celebration-organizer, a social worker, a psycho-therapeutist, a pediatrist and ... a good teacher. Does he have a private life? He must be an idealist. As long as such people continue to work for the good of the upcoming youth, our civilization has less chances to fall apart. This movie is an encouragement for all good teachers in the world.

sediwell Bertrand Tavernier continues to prove he is one of the master modern directors. Although he made his name with a series of stunning period dramas his recent dissections of the failure of modern French society have been equally brilliant and It All Starts Today is his greatest yet. This simple tale of a struggling school master in a depressed suburb to care for his young charges in the face on uncaring bureaucracy and emotionally destroyed parents is a heart rending masterpiece from start to finish. If any foreign language film deserved the Oscar this is it.

Baloe Social movie, situated in the depressing former mine-towns of northern France. A local school-principal tries to improve the self-esteem of the children and their parents, some of them even without electricity at home. His girlfriend, a sculptress, plans a big multi-racial school-party. Very realistic, but I regretted the fact that the director didn't take the opportunity to play with colors and images.