This movie does not come up to the level of "Ma Vie en Rose," but then no one really expects that of an American film. While the characters, including Bruno himself, may need to search for politically correct "excuses" for his cross-dressing, we the audience can focus on the reactions, both supportive and hostile, of the adults around him. Alex D. Linz was an excellent choice for this difficult role, being about as seasoned an actor as one can be at age 11. He performs outstandingly: not pseudo-adult, but with enormous strength of his convictions. Shirley MacLaine also is both credible and creditable as the supportive adult in Bruno's life. I suppose I'm just an artistic philistine, but I can't hold it against a movie that it actually has a storyline to move things along. Of course one wonders what will happen to Bruno later on -- and perhaps some American film-maker will one day get brave enough to make a sequel.
