Before departing on a romantic weekend in Bruges, a single mother from Brussels leaves her daughter in the care of an experienced nanny. Suddenly the nanny, who is as devoted and competent as always, suffers a serious accident by falling down the stairs. With growing unease, the little girl tries to tell someone - anyone - about her predicament...
"Une sirène dans la nuit" is the kind of title that makes one expect a tale about a louche platinum blonde doing her thing in a nightclub. This is a mistaken impression, since we're dealing with a drama/thriller, made for television, about a young child in jeopardy. (The siren refers to an emergency vehicle, not to a Madonna-lookalike in high heels.) As in many of such "children in jeopardy" movies, there's a race against the clock going on, with ever more people trying to solve a daunting puzzle before it's too late.
"Une sirène" is notable for the accuracy with which it zeroes in on the deepest fears of loving parents. You watch over your child like a hawk ; you work hard in order to provide it with safety and comfort ; you educate it carefully ; you deny yourself all kinds of pleasures and escapades. On the rare, the very rare, occasion that you do allow yourself a sliver of entertainment, you entrust your child only to seasoned nannies or babysitters of the most impeccable conduct. And then an accident happens, leaving your little one to fend for itself in a strange house.
The movie is also notable for the fine quality of the acting. This is especially true of the tiny child actress, who gives a performance of great realism and spontaneity. She pretty much dominates the movie.
"Une sirène dans la nuit" is the kind of title that makes one expect a tale about a louche platinum blonde doing her thing in a nightclub. This is a mistaken impression, since we're dealing with a drama/thriller, made for television, about a young child in jeopardy. (The siren refers to an emergency vehicle, not to a Madonna-lookalike in high heels.) As in many of such "children in jeopardy" movies, there's a race against the clock going on, with ever more people trying to solve a daunting puzzle before it's too late.
"Une sirène" is notable for the accuracy with which it zeroes in on the deepest fears of loving parents. You watch over your child like a hawk ; you work hard in order to provide it with safety and comfort ; you educate it carefully ; you deny yourself all kinds of pleasures and escapades. On the rare, the very rare, occasion that you do allow yourself a sliver of entertainment, you entrust your child only to seasoned nannies or babysitters of the most impeccable conduct. And then an accident happens, leaving your little one to fend for itself in a strange house.
The movie is also notable for the fine quality of the acting. This is especially true of the tiny child actress, who gives a performance of great realism and spontaneity. She pretty much dominates the movie.