I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Sadly the film has little correlation with the book which is why I wish I read it before watching the film. Hell, I might not have watched the film at all. The film is extremely thought provoking and leaves you open to make the decision yourself about whether the relationship was exploitative in anyway, the book however is a direct, honest account of the sexual and sometimes emotional abuse of a child. One example in the film is one scene where Jeroen (the boy) takes a photo of Walt (the soldier) and puts it in his shirt pocket whilst Walt sleeps but in the book its in fact Walt who gives it to Jeroen. The title though 'For a lost soldier' in my perspective seems as if the boy (now adult of course) never held any malice towards the soldier as an adult. Its extremely complex and hard to understand, What is clear to understand though is both the soldier & the boy were extremely isolated from normality which is possibly what drove them together, In a way both of them were vulnerable, one fighting in a war and the other a confused and lonely boy away from home stuck in an uncertain war. Not an easy watch/read by any means and its not hard to forget either, but its worth having a look. It requires an open mind and people who can handle following troublesome subjects. I'd recommend reading the book first and then moving onto the film.

At present times, it's impossible not to not to note the pedophiles connotations of the movie. After all, we have a young but mature soldier making love to a pubescent youth. But is it all? The relationship that develops between them is very sweet, and one couldn't say is not consensual. We know better that gay feelings are preexisting in many boys very early, and he must have felt very solitary before the emergence of the soldier. Our present legislation and morals wouldn't give a chance to the love of the two boys. But is that reasonable? Not for the morals of the film, who presents the relationship of the two as something quite natural. It's a polemic film, that can lead us to think as of present costumes in a dialectic way. Are we correct in judging as bad as we should such a tender relationship, coming out of the terrors of war, and which gave so permanent good feelings to the minor involved?

My deep and heartfelt gratitude to the makers of the film and the actors:superbly done! What makes this film really UNIQUE among others of the same genre ( friendship between an adult and a teenager) is the sense of MEASURE and TACTFULNESS.Not for a moment do the viewers believe that there might be something 'dirty' about the relationship of a grown-up soldier and a boy of thirteen.And not for a moment does the film descend to the level of cheap sentimentality.Bravo!It shows love,true love (which is proved by the later recollections of the older Jeroen)that never ends, and that the boy can be proud of. I am an American and am ashamed to admit that such a film is a 'mission impossible' for my compatriot film makers to accomplish,the feat they would never have guts to do: we still live in the Middle Ages of Political Correctness Holy Inquisition.How sad...

I knew beforehand that the movie was about the romance between an adult and child, however, I was surprised how well the movie presented the topic. The movie offered fresh insight into situations where the child played a role in instigating the relationship. Jerome was not like the other boys in the movie, and was just as curious as anyone one else at his age. While forced or coerced pedophilia are inappropriate, situations where the child has inclinations towards their sexuality leading to situations like these often might create lasting fond memories.I find it hard to believe this movie was released over fourteen years ago when it would still be hard pressed to enter production here in the United States. Lastly, I thought the relationship between Jerome and the soldier was longer than a few days as some suggested in the comments. It seemed to me like they were they there for a few weeks and their friendship gradually turned into something more. (Edit: The brown spots left by their tents is more proof they stayed more than a few days) Additionally, while some have commented that the soldier left without telling Jerome is indication that he took advantage of the child, I think he left without telling to spare Jerome and himself some heartache. I felt it was appropriate considering their relationship was extremely unorthodox and therefore they could not say their goodbyes in a similar fashion to their peers.