Inspired by the New York Times best-seller The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, THE HEDGEHOG is the timely story of Paloma, a young girl bent on “ending it all” before she becomes an adult. Chronicling the hypocrisy she sees in her parents and others with her father’s High-8 camera, Paloma (Garance Le Guillermic) begins to learn about life from the grumpy building “concierge”, Renée Michel (FRENCH TWIST’s Josiane Balasko). When Paloma’s camera reveals an extensive secret library in Renée’s back room, and that the usually gruff matron reads Tolstoy to her cat, Paloma begins to understand that there are allies to be found beneath the prickliest of exteriors. As the unlikely friendship deepens, Paloma’s own coming of age becomes a much less pessimistic prospect.
I am the archetype of a building’s concierge…ugly, old and surly!
— Renee Michel
The Hedgehog is a beautiful story that demonstrates how easily we can become trapped in our comfort zones of routine, complacency and organized chaos. Like Ferris Beuller said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!” Without being too preachy, the film uses class differences to highlight the importance of connection and kindness between people. That being said, I love a good grump too, and Josiane Balasko’s portrayal of Renee Michel hits the mark. Actually, this beautiful story has inspired me to get to know my neighbors a little better, even the prickly old guy that walks by every morning and never makes eye contact. I bet he has a great story to tell too, perhaps no one has asked him to tell it for a while…
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