Aside from the technical wizardry of showing the lovely Mlle. Cotillard as a double amputee (she swims! She has sex! She gets tattoos!), the film is matter of fact about her physical struggles; it is more concerned with her psychological journey to reshape her life and identity. Not wearing a bit of make-up and sullen throughout the film, she remains stunning; you cannot take your eyes off of her. Regrettably, the film focuses more on Ali and their relationship, who is really a brute and somewhat of a louse. But he undergoes a slow redemption as well.
Two characteristics recur from Audiard's previous, Oscar-nominated film: 1) the subject matter--the lower end of French society ("Un Prophet" took place in a French prison); and 2) a soundtrack dominated by American songs (he memorably used a Jimmie Dale Gilmore tune in his last movie; here, he uses a Bruce Springsteen song from "Nebraska" at a pivotal moment).
One drawback in comparison to his previous film: Audiard introduces a needless subplot involving corporate snooping on employees that entangles both Ali and his sister. It is a leaden attempt to make a political point, and it belongs in another movie. In spite of its rather bleak, unvarnished portrait of life on the margins of society, "Rust and Bone" is a well-made and compelling film that I recommend seeing (but I cannot explain the title).
