This, along with its other half Jean de Florette, has to be one of the best movies ever made. The great storyline is really brought to life by excellent photography and some very solid and believable performances by a pretty much flawless cast (I thought Manon was used a little too much for just looking pretty, but I can hardly blame the director for it). It was aired here in the uk with each part a week apart, which spoiled the flow somewhat but it's testament to the quality of the film that I made a point of seeing the second part. A few hints here about some secrets coming out helped ;0). It's great to see characters that aren't 'black and white' (I *felt* for Cesar during his talk with the old, blind woman even after all he'd caused) and I only wish more films were made like this. I only wish my French was better so that I could have spent more time watching the great actors rather than reading the subtitles, but dubbing would never do. And Manon herself; I can well see how she would drive someone mad with love. You don't need subtitles for that. I registered just to vote for this film and I gave it 10/10. This, along with Taxi, have really shown me that French cinema can be so good I'm apprehensive about seeing any more; nothing could ever come as close, surely? It's one of those few films I've seen where after seeing it you want to see it all over again right away, even knowing what happens, as the atmosphere and acting really draw you in. It was aired here in the early hours of the morning, which means fewer people might have had a chance to encounter it but the stillness of the early hours definitely helped the film take me away to rural france for a few hours...
Review of Manon of the Spring
