Manon of the Spring (1987)

Just perfect...

Absolutely Fantastic

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

A beautiful but shy shepherdess (Emmanuelle Béart) plots vengeance on the men whose greedy conspiracy to acquire her father's land caused his death years earlier.Directed by Claude Berri, it is the second of two films adapted from the 1966 two-volume novel by Marcel Pagnol, who wrote it based on his own earlier film of the same title. It is the sequel to "Jean de Florette".I wish I could say I got into this film, but I just did not. This was probably my fault and not the fault of the film, just not being in the right mood for it. So my middle-level rating should only be seen as preliminary. Most likely it would go up upon a second viewing.

This part two sticks dramatically to the first one. The wonderful girl Emmanuelle Béart delivered an interesting performance. Yves Montand did a great job here showing all the repertoire of this psychological character profile. He was really a great actor, chapeau. But Daniel Auteuil was also very credibly in this role until the end. Bravo. Finally, Claude Berri directed again like a master. Thank you for these two very nice films. Don't expect a fast paced story because it has a slow but surprising countdown. For all that likes the surroundings South of France this is a rich experience to not miss. See also the other highlight La Fille du Pusatier from the same writer Marcel Pagnol. Vote: 8/10.

Emmanuelle Beart is Manon, the beautiful daughter of Jean de Florette from the film of the same name which continues the story of the farmer who was tricked out of his land by unscrupulous neighbors. Beart as Manon is breathtakingly gorgeous, perfectly cast as a shepherdess who while leading a flock of sheep and bathing in the nude is looked upon by the son of the man who destroyed her fathers life. Manon discovers the secret and plots revenge on the evil doers.Manon manages to pay back the people who did her father wrong in this equally picturesque and emotional follow up to Jean de Florette. I would recommend watching the two films one after the other.

I decided to do my review/praising of Jean De Florette here on the Manon Des Sources board. After all, it is not a sequel, but a continuation of the same story.Being made at the same time, the beauty captured in Jean De Florette flowed effortlessly into Manon Des Sources. I just find these two films so entrancing in every way. It's drama and tragedy of the highest order without a single ounce of melodrama to spoil its earthy and honest depiction of rural life in France. It is, as a friend on IMDb said, "the ultimate Greek tragedy, but in France". It is true that I have never seen tragic irony done so well as as at the end of this film. It's pure film-making at its very best set against the most rustic scenery and music one could hope for.I am here speaking on behalf of both films, which at this late stage of the calender year, are currently my favourites this year. The effectiveness of the ending of Manon is owed in huge part to the way the character of Cesar is built throughout Jean De Florette, and so together I give these films a resounding 10/10