Das Schloss meiner Mutter (1990)

Das Schloss meiner Mutter: Directed by Yves Robert. With Philippe Caubère, Nathalie Roussel, Didier Pain, Thérèse Liotard. Every holiday Marcel and his family go to their cottage near Marseilles. During one of these holidays he meets Isabelle, a pretty but conceited girl… Adapted from the cult classic novel from Marcel Pagnol.

“I really enjoyed this film tremendously. There were no grand special effects, dazzling action or exciting twists–just unbelievably beautiful film-making! This is a biographical tale based on the childhood of the great French director/writer Marcel Pagnol. In fact, it is because of my love of his films that I sought out this videotape and the prequel, My Fatheru0026#39;s Glory. If you have not seen the Fanny trilogy (or the single film by the same title starring Leslie Caron), The Bakeru0026#39;s Wife, Harvest, Manon of the Spring or any of his other films, try to see them!! What makes all these films so wonderful is the superb writing and how his characters come to life. They are charming, full of foibles and yet quite lovable! And this is definitely true in this movie as well.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis movie picks up right where the prequel stopped–complete with the same actors. This was possible, as the films were filmed together and came out the same year.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOf the two films, My Motheru0026#39;s Castle is definitely the best–though they are both extraordinary films. What I liked about this film was that it was able to evoke so much emotion within me. For example, near the end I found myself laughing loudly at the scene involving the VERY nasty guard as he gets his comeuppance! Then, only minutes later I was sobbing at the profound sadness about Pagnolu0026#39;s later life (after the main story is over, there is a gut-wrenching epilogue). Itu0026#39;s profoundly sad, but since it is based on real life, so necessary.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWatch this film with your entire family–even the cynical members of the family are sure to enjoy!”