Lou, a good student at school, is quite concerned about the homeless people she encounters all over Paris. She loves hanging out in the Gare Austerlitz, where she observes an enigmatic young woman who attracts her attention. She has written essays for her class, and with the encouragement of her Lycee teacher she decides to explore a world that is alien to her. Coming from a household in which her mother suffers from depression, getting to know Nora, who prefers to be called "No" presents a challenge for this middle class girl.
As it turns out, No, is at first flattered and confused by Lou, a girl so different from her, a good source for getting a drink, or a meal when she is down and out. Lou pleads with her parents to let her friend move with them. The parents are reluctant, at first, but decide to go along. Lou secretly watches Lucas, a classmate, who is popular with girls. He is a the product of divorced parents living alone in a huge apartment. With the arrival of No, Lucas takes an interest in Lou. Things go bad after No shows she is heavily involved with drugs and the kind of life her friend Lou gets to know through her, but realizes she does not fit in that sordid world.
Zabou Breitman, the director, shows her immense talent in taking us to uncharted territory in this story which involves two opposite characters that meet under extenuating circumstances. On the one hand we have a good soul, Lou who shows an extreme amount of compassion for those that are down on their luck, and juxtaposes her to the jaded No, who is beyond help. The path No has taken by living freely and not making an effort to take the wonderful opportunity Lou offers her. Ms. Breitman, who co-wrote the adaptation of a novel by Delphine De Vigan, with Agnes De Sacy, also participates in the film as the mother of Lou. She gets intense performances from the sweet Nina Rodriguez, seen as Lou as well as Julie-Marie Parmentier, playing the hard edged No. Antonin Chalon returns to work with a director he has been closely associated with.
As it turns out, No, is at first flattered and confused by Lou, a girl so different from her, a good source for getting a drink, or a meal when she is down and out. Lou pleads with her parents to let her friend move with them. The parents are reluctant, at first, but decide to go along. Lou secretly watches Lucas, a classmate, who is popular with girls. He is a the product of divorced parents living alone in a huge apartment. With the arrival of No, Lucas takes an interest in Lou. Things go bad after No shows she is heavily involved with drugs and the kind of life her friend Lou gets to know through her, but realizes she does not fit in that sordid world.
Zabou Breitman, the director, shows her immense talent in taking us to uncharted territory in this story which involves two opposite characters that meet under extenuating circumstances. On the one hand we have a good soul, Lou who shows an extreme amount of compassion for those that are down on their luck, and juxtaposes her to the jaded No, who is beyond help. The path No has taken by living freely and not making an effort to take the wonderful opportunity Lou offers her. Ms. Breitman, who co-wrote the adaptation of a novel by Delphine De Vigan, with Agnes De Sacy, also participates in the film as the mother of Lou. She gets intense performances from the sweet Nina Rodriguez, seen as Lou as well as Julie-Marie Parmentier, playing the hard edged No. Antonin Chalon returns to work with a director he has been closely associated with.