Linda`s Child - DVD

Content: Young Emanuel (Kaya Scodelario) blames herself for the death of her mother, who died giving birth to her. Emanuel feels like she shouldn't really be here. This is expressed in provocative and rebellious behavior that she repeatedly displays, especially towards her stepmother (Frances O`Connor). When the withdrawn Linda (Jessica Biel) moves in across the street, the girl quickly becomes fascinated with the single mother. Although she doesn`t really like small children, she takes a job babysitting Linda. Emanuel quickly feels extremely taken with Linda's loving nature and a friendship develops between the two, making the girl feel truly safe for the first time. But then she discovers a terrible secret that could destroy everything right away...

Linda`s Child starts like a good, yet quite conventional teen drama. When the viewer meets Emanuel, gets a first glimpse into her dark inner life, and watches her rebel against her father, stepmother, and other authority figures, it all looks like a somewhat dark coming-of-age drama. Then, when the girl meets Linda, the viewer here quickly senses that something is amiss and the story takes on slight traits of thrillers like The Hand on the Cradle. But even this impression doesn't last long, as director Francesca Gregorini reveals relatively quickly what secret the single mother is carrying.

Actually, after this premature revelation, the film would now have been doomed to lose all of its suspense potential and just ripple along in leisurely boredom to the finale. But even though there are quite some lengths in the second half of the movie, the story knows very well how to still captivate on another level. We won't reveal too much about that at this point, it's just to say that the character of Emanuel and the development she undergoes through her friendship with Linda are interesting enough to carry the movie. The prerequisite for this, however, is that you don't expect a high-voltage thriller, but rather tune in to a quiet drama.

The acting performances of Kaya Scodelario, of whom we will hopefully see a lot more in the future, and of Jessica Biel, who finally gets to prove once again that she can do a lot more than just look good, leave a special impression. Far too often in her career so far she has played roles in which she could reveal her attractiveness but not her acting talent, which is definitely there. But especially with roles in smaller productions like this one, she manages to show other facets of herself for once, which she does very well with this psychologically somewhat broken character.

Linda`s Child has some dramaturgical weaknesses and a few small lengths. But overall, the drama convinces both on an acting level, as well as with the unusual story, which is sometimes very beautiful in a dark way, then again depressing and sad. If you appreciate American independent dramas and can also find suspense in the quiet narrative flow, you should definitely watch this film! Recommendable!

Picture + Sound: While the sound available as a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix remains overall rather unspectacular, but captures the oppressive atmosphere of some scenes very well, the image of the DVD convinces with an atmospheric color scheme, a high overall sharpness and well-tuned contrasts. Good!

Extras: As a bonus, there is only the trailer to see.

Finish: Linda`s Child suggests at the beginning that you have to do here with a thriller. But gradually the film transforms into a moving drama that lives from its two great leading actresses. Even if the big twist of the story is given away after a short time, Linda`s Child remains thrilling and exciting until the end. The DVD is technically well done, but there is no bonus material. Nevertheless, there is here for lovers of somewhat more demanding dramas a clear: Recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp