If there are people who told you that they don’t like holidays, please don’t ever doubt it. But don’t take it wrong, everybody wants a paid holiday as long as possible without any disturbance, with a well-organized plan to fly away from the crowd and civilization, deep into something called NATURE. I am no exception.
However, it’s people everywhere. In the mall, on the streets, under the ground, over the sky, etc. Good gracious, it’s the last day.
Again, movies!
Jean de Florette is a very old French movie, released in 1986, about human stains, greed to be specific. It’s never a pleasant experience to see a good man suffer, get ruined and killed simply for greed of human beings, but Jean the protagonist delivers a certain spirit through his unyielding attempts, time and time again.
I am not sure what the appeal is to this movie, but it certainly is there. The first half is plain and almost making you wonder what the point is there in planting flowers and vegetables on an almost arid and barren land. However, the little secret by a super ugly man and a sly and sophisticated old man keeps the story mysterious.
I have to admit that this story successfully captures my inner world, and makes me a part of it. The superb acting by 3 outstanding men, the breathtaking scenery that comes in a harsh pre-industrial village life, and fluent yet somewhat plausible character development makes the movie a real must-see, not just for one time.
Well if you cannot stand watching a film in a foreign language, or you only watch films with special effects and non-stop action,then you may find something to object to in this one, but otherwise it is perfection. The story is heart-wrenching, all the characters (both good and bad) demand sympathy, and the story is both credible, and beautifully told. That is the true quality of this film – it tells a simple, gripping story in a way that grips any viewer with a heart from start to finish.
It comes with a sequel released the same year: Manon of the Spring.
Manon is Jean’s daughter, who happens to spot the scheme on the day of departure after her father is killed. She returns for a revenge. Check it out by yourself.
Here are another 2 movies I re-viewed yesterday for a 3rd time:
Coco Before Chanel – the story of Coco Chanel’s rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world. Well I’m not a big fan of luxury or fashion, but I’ve always loved the name Audrey, and to me only a goddess with extreme beauty and incomparable charm can have that name. Like Audrey Hepburn. Like Audrey Tautou. If you have no idea who Audrey Tautou is, here is a clue: “Amelie“. Does it ring a bell?
Hilary and Jackie is another must-see cinema work, and I don’t think I will need to give more details here as it’s probably deep into your heart already. Or if not, why the wait? Watch it one more time. I’ve seen it thrice, I am sure there will be a fourth, or a fourteenth.
Loss & Discovery of the Post-80s Generation 
Posted on September 29, 2010
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