Starring Michèle Laroque and Jean-Philippe Écoffey Directed by Alain Berliner Rated R, with mature sexual issues Running time 88 minutes Jack gives this film a rating of 8 out of 10

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(Feb. 13, 1998) -- "I'm a boy now, but one day I'll be a girl." Seven-year-old Ludovic is so sure, he's already planning on marrying Jerome, his school mate and next-door neighbor.

Just as confidently, Ludovic shows up at backyard parties and other festivities, wearing lipstick and a dress.

Ludovic's parents, teachers and some narrow-minded neighbors are more than a little concerned. The adults don't always handle the situation with the sensitivity and intelligence it warrants.

Society wants the little boy to grow up in a world of blue; Ludovic prefers to envision Ma Vie en Rose (My Life in Pink).

Ma Vie en Rose is a provocative and artfully conceived new film from Belgium, and the most recent winner of a Golden Globe as best foreign language film. It's omission from this week's Oscar nominations is hard to fathom.

Ma Vie en Rose recreates the fantasies and dreams of childhood while simultaneously exploring the volatile subject of sexual identity.

The combination makes this first film from Alain Berliner a bonafide original -- and a immensely satisfying, bittersweet film experience.

Berliner delves whole-heartedly into Ludovic's vivid imagination through a palette of wild colors, sweeping camera movements that follow his spirit, and imaginative set designs of the Brussels suburb where he lives.

But whenever the boy's innocent dreams are squelched by insensitive adults, the film turns to a bleak, bland look.

In other words, if Tim Burton was a Belgian with an interest in this off-beat subject matter, he might have made Ma Vie en Rose. Edward Scissorshands was clearly an influence for Berliner.

The filmmaker should also be praised for discovering little Georges Du Fresne, and molding his sensitive performance as Ludovic.

Sexually ambiguous in appearance, the boy moves effortlessly into the persona of a little girl. This eliminates any possibility that the premise will be viewed as comic satire.

Ma Vie en Rose is no joke. It's a poignant, heartfelt plea for us all to be open to all the innocent foibles of childhood, including confusions about sexual identity.

Yet this impressive film also revels in the sweet imaginations and unbridled energy of the young. And for such wisdom and balance, Ma Vie en Rose deserves to be seen.