A harrowing slice of social realism [...] told with relentless urgency.

| Oct 28, 2023

The Dardennes convey so much using so little, the seemingly strung together nature of the film ultimately containing a very specific and carefully plotted structure that brings a gravity to even the most mundane of events.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 6, 2019

A marvelous exposition of the continuing importance of cinema highlighting social barriers and conflict.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Apr 13, 2019

There's something genuinely religious in Rosetta's stark portrayal of unyielding resurrection.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Nov 12, 2012

a small miracle of a film, one that accomplishes so much with seemingly so little and feels all of a piece, not a moment wasted or misused

| Original Score: 4/4 | Oct 4, 2012

The camera follows right behind Rosetta as she stampedes her way through hardship after hardship, determined to get a fair shake. This puts the viewer in the shoes of Rosetta and we experience her pain firsthand.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 4, 2012

Rosetta (is) a perpetual motion machine constantly racing away from a lens that will always catch up to her.

| Original Score: 9/10 | Aug 21, 2012

| Original Score: A | Sep 7, 2011

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 11, 2005

'An unflinching portrait of the dehumanizing effects of being forced to live hand-to-mouth with no real hope of escaping.'

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 21, 2004

Perhaps some of this would have been nominally interesting if Rosetta were slightly likable.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Jan 5, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 1, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 9, 2003

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Mar 22, 2002

Fights and struggles to stay afloat literally and symbolically, just like its heroine.

| Original Score: short | Mar 7, 2002

The drama vividly conveys the stunted emotional and spiritual life of a teenager who has no time for anything except the struggle to survive.

| Mar 4, 2002

Some viewers (including a few who walked out when I saw the movie) are going to find the subject too grim and the production too stark - but that's the idea.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 26, 2002

a careful, painful film, but beautiful in its execution

Full Review | Mar 21, 2001

The film has an odd subterranean power. It doesn't strive for our sympathy or make any effort to portray Rosetta as colorful, winning or sympathetic. It's a film of economic determinism, the story of a young woman for whom employment equals happiness.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Jan 1, 2000