Jean De Florette (1987)

A truly impressive French film destined to become a modern masterpiece, Jean de Florette is an evocative adaptation of the highly regarded French novel. Two 1920s farmers engage in a bitter rivalry as one tries to tend to a plot of land and the other deviously undermines his efforts in order to conceal a valuable spring. The peasant farmer (Gérard Depardieu) who comes to the countryside to tend the land he has inherited is a naive and trusting soul seeking only to provide for his wife and daughter, while his neighbor (Yves Montand) is intent on doing whatever he can to discourage and demoralize the farmer so that he can take the land for himself. This simple tale unfolds in a wrenching fashion to a tragic conclusion, bringing forth questions about human nature and the prevalence and price of greed. Along with its follow-up, Manon of the Spring, this film will leave an indelible impression on anyone who sees it. --Robert Lane Amazon.com

Jean de Florette

This customer was very pleasently surprized that I could find this movie! It arrived sooner than expected and in good condition. June 3, 2008

Jean De Florette

Adapted from Marcel Pagnol's two-volume novel, Claude Berri's magnificent "Jean de Florette" (and its sequel, "Manon of the Spring"), center on the bounty we owe to water, comprising two parts of one rich story. The great Yves Montand delivers a memorable, nuanced portrayal of the scheming "Le Papet," while the equally brilliant Depardieu tugs at the heartstrings as determined hunchback Cadoret, who struggles against impossible odds to make his farm a success . Stunningly picturesque, "Jean" reaches a high watermark for period drama. July 9, 2007

As powerful, universal and revealing of humanity as any trilogy of Greek tragedies

This story stands on its own write as inevitable Grecian tragedy building on the prideful ignorance of Jean, the main character. He does not know of the spring which was blocked and concealed by the neighbor who desires not only his land to grow chrysthanthemums upon, but one day when she blooms, his daughter Manon. With the conspiracy of friends, this covetous neighbor blocks the spring which would bring life and fertility to the farm. Jean tries everything including tragically dynamite to bring the waters to flow with abundant life.

When all is too late we discover unknown family ties which would have made Jean not a rejected outsider intruding upon and rejected by this enclosed and impoverished mountain farming community but embraced as a lost son. At that point the characters can only stand back and lament their realization come far too late. The inevitable development and tragedy of these two films together is as stately as as horrifying as a trilogy of ancient Greek plays, as profound and as universal. Watch them carefully and rivers of understanding will wash you with renewed humanity. August 19, 2006

Greed in a Small Town

I have a general rule when it comes to Gerard Depardieu, if he's playing sexy then pass but if he's playing a character then keep.

Depardieu is the title character in Jean de Florette. Jean has inherited his mother's family farm. He is bringing his wife and young daughter Magnon. Jean did not grow up in the area so even though it is his family farm, he is an outsider.To further complicate things, he has a slight hunchback, which the villagers take as a curse.

Caesar (Yves Montand), the farmer next door and his nephew (Daniel Auteuil) would like to buy the land and expand their holdings.But Jean looks at this as a chance to build a new life and refuses. Therefore Caesar plots to force Jean out, including stopping up his spring.

Jean's new life is hard but he makes it work. That is until there is a drought. Jean eventually works himself to death. His widow sales the farm to Caesar. The final scene is Caesar and his nephew unplugging the spring but unknown to them, little Magnon sees this.

Claude Beri is on of the great French directors. He has captured the flavor the rural France at the turn of the century. This is Depardieu's finest performance and is the first film that brought future French superstar Daniel Auteuil to the American filmgoer. And it is nice to see Yves Montand again.

This is part one of two films call Pagnol's Water Stories. The second is the even better, Magnon of the Springs. But both films stand alone and you do not need to see both - but it is recommended.

DVD EXTRAS: NONE
January 4, 2006

Old Mac Le Papet had a farm ...

This movie has the simple feel of a provincial or pastoral folktale. A farmer, Le Papet (played by Yves Montand) and his nephew, Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil) scheme against the city inheritor, Jean Cadoret (Gerard Depardieu) of a neighboring farm, keeping secret from him the whereabouts of a hidden spring. Ugolin wants the land to grow flowers on; Jean has plans for breeding rabbits and growing vegetables. Jean comes with his books and statistics about crops and the weather; he has faith in his knowledge, but believes in God's providence, too. He is a hunchback as well, which only adds to our sympathies. A drought comes and sure enough the lack of water ruins him and the farm is sold to Ugolin. But Jean's little daughter learns of the spring just before they leave, which sets up the action for the sequel: MANON OF THE SPRING.

Like all good folktales, the story here is simple and straightforward, and the telling is always interesting. The characters are all well developed and their motivations are complex enough to keep them human and not types. The movie is a real throwback to pre-New Wave classics such as HARVEST (1937). A comparative fortune was spent in making this movie, but it was money well spent. Definitely worth a watch. December 1, 2005

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