The Thorn In The Heart review

A documentary or a home movie?

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Michel Gondry turns documentary maker in this subtle, affectionate portrait of his aunt Suzette, a retired teacher who spent three decades working in rural villages across France.

Revisiting those isolated hamlets, a picture emerges of a strong, avant-garde woman fondly remembered wherever she goes, a counterpoint to Suzette’s accusatory relationship with her fragile son Jean-Yves – “the thorn in my heart”.

Gondry resists swamping a painful trip down memory lane with too much visual dazzle, but also overindulges in detours that make you feel you’re watching a home movie.