Games of Love and Chance

Unlike American counterparts "Kids" or "Dangerous Minds," this highly intelligent comedy (which cleaned up at this year's Césars) doesn't seek to shock or inspire, but merely documents teen moodiness in all its tedious unpredictability.

Beautifully observed tale of high-school kids in the projects outside Paris.

A graceful and sympathetic look at how the lives of teenagers intersect with a work of literature.

The vérité fascinates, even if the artifice is obvious.

Kechiche's film is bursting with life: Shot entirely on location using surprisingly long takes, all of it feels surprising authentic, even as these young kids attempt to spout dialogue that's nearly 300 years old.

It is a provocative and potentially rich premise, to be sure, but the execution here is somewhat lacking.

The play within the movie is much more entertaining.