Cement Garden, The (1992) Rating: Starring: Ned Birkin, Alice Coulthard, Sinead Cusack, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Andrew Robertson, Hanns Zischler Director: Andrew Birkin Category: Drama, Independent, Foreign Studio: New Yorker Subtitles: [None] Length: 105 mins     "Hypnotic and Haunting!A hothouse of sexual tension and secret longing that is hard to shake."-Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE Andrew Birkin's chilling adaptation of Ian McEwan's (The Comfort Of Strangers) novel is a disturbing tale of childhood survival in a moral wasteland.Fearing foster homes and adoption, four recently orphaned siblings decide to keep their mother's death a secret, burying her in a cement locker in the basement. The Lolita-like Julie (Charlotte Gainsbourg of Jane Eyre and The Little Thief), quickly adapts to the role of surrogate mother, caring for the younger children and picking up a thirtysomething boyfriend.Fifteen-year old Jack, however, is only concerned with his developing sexuality and his increasing infatuation with his sister. When the intrusive curiosity of Julie's boyfriend threatens to expose their secret, Jack finally assumes the mature role of family protector.As he slowly wins Julie's respect, their gentle flirtation results in a devastating and forbidden consummation.Fraught with sexual tension and suspense, The Cement Garden is a chilling look at unrestrained adolescent desire.               Critic's Reviews James Berardinelli Reelviews Read Review