Naissance des pieuvres 2007

Manohla Dargis, New York Times: The flowers that bloom in the French film Water Lilies belong to a familiar cinematic species, the newly sexualized teenage girl. Read more

Logan Hill, New York Magazine/Vulture: The drama never merely titillates, instead developing a convincing dynamic among the three. Read more

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: A narrowly interesting story by French writer-director CA (C)line Sciamma about three girls whose lives are connected by synchronized swimming. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Celine Sciamma's quiet drama has moments of motionless yearning that contrast the intense emotions of its 15-year-old protagonists. Read more

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: The original French title of this flick translates as Birth of Octopuses, and it's a more accurate description of the complicated relationships in this well-acted coming-of-age story, the impressive debut of filmmaker Celine Sciamma. Read more

Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com: A hypnotic and wholly convincing look at teen culture from the inside, with all its courage, cruelty and unspoken codes of silence intact. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: First-time writer/director Celine Sciamma focuses exclusively, empathetically and insightfully on her protagonists' coming-of-age experiences. Read more

Dave Calhoun, Time Out: Languid, sorrowful and strange, French filmmaker Celine Sciamma's debut as a feature writer-director is a sensitive and daring portrait of female adolescence that's curious about all longings, sexual confusions and grey areas of desire. Read more

Lisa Nesselson, Variety: First film by gifted scripter-helmer Celine Sciamma nails the aching doubts and offhanded cruelty of 15- and 16-year-old girls. Read more

Andrew Barker, Variety: While it never quite reaches Jack T. Ripper levels of absurdity, Water nonetheless drowns out its science with hazy spirituality and utterly preposterous claims. In the end, it all smells fishy. Read more

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice: Completing the convergence of rare young talents is the 27-year-old French director Celine Sciamma. Read more

Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post: A fascinating exploration of female friendship, love, manipulation, betrayal and healing. Read more