Plot
In pre-World War II France, a father is torn between his sense of honor and his deep love for his saintly daughter when she gets in trouble with the wealthy son of a shopkeeper.

Release Year: 2011

Rating: 6.6/10 (463 voted)

Director: Daniel Auteuil

Stars: Daniel Auteuil, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Nicolas Duvauchelle

Storyline
In pre-World War II France, a father is torn between his sense of honor and his deep love for his saintly daughter when she gets in trouble with the wealthy son of a shopkeeper.

Writers: Marcel Pagnol, Daniel Auteuil

Cast:
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
Emilie Cazenave - Amanda
Marie-Anne Chazel - Nathalie
Coline Bosso - Isabelle
Chloé Malarde - Marie
Brune Coustellier - Léonore
Ilona Porte - Roberte
Jean-Louis Barcelona - Le commis
Patrick Bosso - Le garçon
François-Eric Gendron - Le capitaine

Release Date: 20 April 2011

Filming Locations: Brignoles, Var, France

Gross: £3,659 (UK) (11 December 2011)

Technical Specs

Runtime: France: 107 min

User Review

Timeless moving story served by great actors and a good direction

Rating: 9/10

The Well-Digger's Daughter is a french movie, remake of another famous french film of the 40's.

If you don't know anything about french cinema, know that this remake features well known comedians such as Daniel Auteuil (it's also his first work as a director), Kad Merad, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Sabine Azema, and Marie-Anne Chazel.

The original film was directed, written and produced by Marcel Pagnol, famous not only for his films but also for plays and novels that have become classics.

The story? (spoiler-free, as always) It's the beginning of the WWII. South of France. Patricia, 18, is the oldest daughter of a well-digger, Pascal, who considers her a princess because of her moral qualities. She's kind, devoted. One day, she briefly meets a young man, Jacques, the son of Mazel, owner of the shop where her father buy his material. He's handsome and teasing. Her father's friend, Felipe, would love to marry her, and he invites her to an aviation show. She accepts his invitation only because she knows Jacques is a pilot and will be there. Soon, she'll carry his child, and he'll be gone, and the family will have to deal with this out-of-wedlock pregnancy...

The remake definitely honors the classic, and I can't find one single thing to criticize. The actors all deliver moving and natural compositions, from the loving and torn father (Auteuil) to the moody Mrs Mazel (Azema), from the benevolent Felipe (Merad) to the seductive Jacques (Duvauchelle). By the way, it certainly isn't hard to see why the heroine falls for him after just one encounter ;) The main character, Patricia, is played with tact and sweetness by Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, who somehow reminds me of Jane March. She was unknown before this role (even if it's not her first), but no doubt this is the year of her breakthrough, as she will soon be seen interpreting a mermaid in the next Pirates of the Caribbean.

The direction is precise, careful, and manages to capture each small emotion of the characters. It really serves well the beautiful and moving plot. You're completely immersed into the story and can have your eyes wet more than once, even though the movie isn't a melodrama nor a tragedy. This story is timeless, and universal. I would recommend it to absolutely everyone. It's a 5-star film!

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