You'll Be a Man (Tu Seras un Homme)

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A somewhat more mainstream "Harold and Maude," "You'll Be a Man" is a film that travels well-trod roads, but cruises them in style. "Man" is the story of Theo (Jules Sagot), a free-spirited 20-year-old who takes a job babysitting a boy named Leo (Aurelio Cohen).

Leo is a smart but sheltered boy who is lorded over by his father (Grégoire Monsaingeon), a stony, stubborn man who has very specific ideas about what his son's limitations are following an accident that almost took his life.

Theo and Leo become fast friends, and soon Leo is stretching his limits, doing things that most other kids would take for granted, like play soccer. This causes friction with Leo's father, who has let his fear for his son's safety take precedence over his son's best interests.

There are a few twists and turns along the way, but the main conflicts work well, with Theo fighting his new protege's parents. He sees a promising young man capable of anything; his father sees only limitations and health problems.

There are two interesting subplots that surprisingly aren't as explored as much as I would have liked, both involving forbidden romances; Theo has sparks with Leo's mother (Eleonore Pourrat), a comely woman suffering from agoraphobia (and who seems incapable of caring for her son by herself), and one with Theo's flighty, irresponsible girlfriend becoming smitten with Leo's father. There are hints of affairs with each, but I felt like they weren't fully resolved.

But overall, "You'll Be a Man" is an engaging, interesting and ultimately satisfying drama that touches on coming-of-age themes, helicopter parenting and issues of personal growth. It's among the better films I've seen at the 2014 Indy Film Fest, and one I wholeheartedly recommend.