Set in 1920s Luberon, France, this two-part film is a complex, cleverly-written, superbly-acted tragedy.
The first film is dominated by Gerard Depardieu's powerful performance as a city man striving to follow his dream against insuperable odds. The second film is a wonderfully skewed revenge piece, enhanced for me by the transcendentally gorgeous Emmanuelle Béart.
If you can bear subtitles (or speak French) and have a fiver to spare, treat yourself to this sublime cinematic diptych.
Thanks to Rory for this wonderful present
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1 comment:
Bonjour, Monsieur Brett.
A confession.
I have only seen three quarters of this diptych.
For Jean de Florette, I travelled to Warwick Arts Centre on a wild and stormy night. Just as poor old Gerard looked sorrowfully down his dry well, the cinema lights went up and the manager asked us to evacuate the building as the foyer was flooded. If only we could have diverted some water to Gerard.
I returned a week later (free ticket) to see Manon des Sources, where the only flooding came from the copious tears shed at the heardbreaking conclusion.
Thrilled that you enjoyed this wonderful duo.
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