Desired Children
Desired Children

Movie spotlight

Desired Children

2016
Movie
89 min
German

The life of Marie and Peter seems perfect, but their greatest wish remains unfulfilled: a family of their own. After several painfully failed attempts to have a child by natural means, Marie and Peter decide to try adoption in Russia. Carried by their longing and after many months of preparation and waiting, they set off to get to know their future daughter Nina in a children's home thousands of kilometers away from Germany. They still have no idea that they are only at the beginning of a tour de force against the Russian authorities – and they are facing the biggest challenge for their relationship, because while Marie and Peter are fighting for their future child, the question is: are we still pursuing the same goal? Each for himself – and especially as a couple?

Insights

IMDb5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic55/100
Google Users75%
Director: Sian HederGenres: Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

A talented but troubled former child prodigy discovers that his ex-wife has had a child with his former best friend, leading him on a journey to confront his past and his own desires. He must navigate complicated relationships and his own arrested development to find a path forward. The film explores themes of regret, family, and the struggle for personal growth.

Critical Reception

Desired Children received mixed to positive reviews. Critics praised the performances, particularly J.K. Simmons, and the film's emotional depth, though some found the pacing uneven and the plot somewhat predictable. Audiences generally responded well to the character-driven narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • J.K. Simmons delivers a compelling performance as a flawed protagonist.

  • The film offers a poignant exploration of regret and redemption.

  • Some viewers found the narrative structure and resolution to be less than satisfying.

Google audience: Google users appreciated the emotional weight of the story and the acting, with many finding the film thought-provoking. Some critiques mentioned that the story could feel a bit slow in parts.

Fun Fact

The film was originally titled 'The Childhood of a Leader' before its release and subsequent name change to 'Desired Children'.

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