Film (2011)
Directed by Daniel Auteuil
Adapted by Daniel Auteuil
from the novel by Marcel Pagnol
With Daniel Auteuil (Pascal Amoretti), Kad Merad (Félipe Rambert), Sabine Azéma (Mme Mazel), Jean-Pierre Darroussin (M. Mazel), Nicolas Duvauchelle (Jacques Mazel), Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (Patricia Amoretti)
Original Music by Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography by Jean-François Robin
Photo: Kino Lorber, Inc.
The setting in Provence at the outset of World War I.
Pascal Amoretti (Daniel Auteuil) is a well-digger and Patricia (Astrid Bergès-Frisbey) is his daughter. Lurking on the romantic horizon for Patricia are Félipe (Kad Merad), Pascal’s assistant and designated reliable choice as son-in-law, and Jacques Mazel (Nicolas Duvauchelle), the son of the local demi-aristocrats.
Jacques is seductive and charming, but it is not entirely clear whether he loves Patricia or is merely taking advantage of a pretty girl from a lower class. Devastatingly adorable, Patricia draws out our contrasting sympathies, and we hover between wanting the durable reliability of Félipe while sympathetically but cautiously accepting the passion she exhibits for Jacques.
Pascal is a loving father, but a social realist and a stern disciplinarian. When The First World War intervenes, the effects of the developing liasons take their toll on issues of family integrity. The tension between love and honor surfaces in Pascal’s response to the daughter whom he loves so much but whose vulnerabilities and inclinations force difficult decisions.
Daniel Auteuil (Pascal)
Photo: Kino Lorber, Inc.
This simple, but affecting, story is beautifully told and the script is exceedingly well-wrought. The turns in the narrative are deftly crafted and the drama, though set on a small stage, is penetrating and rewarding.
This foray into direction by the great French actor Daniel Auteuil demonstrates great finesse. He draws wonderful nuance out of his characters. As the characters steer through the turns in the plot, they portray their readjustments and re-balancings with beautiful expressiveness and gesture. The extremely capable actors are drawn out expertly by Auteuil’s subtle but firm directorial hand.
Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (Patricia)
Photo: Kino Lorber, Inc.
All the principals are very good, and it is wonderful to see Auteuil act as well as direct. But I would make a special note about Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (Patricia), who is drop-dead charming, conveying, in this role, a fabulously engaging quality that is subtly, but durably, intoxicating.
Overall, this is a poignant, endearing, and masterfully wrought film and portends great new things for its scriptwriter-director, Daniel Auteuil.
– BADMan
Leave a Reply