Realism at its best. After "Captain Conan" and "Act 627", this must be the best Tavernier. The film has the essence of what a European look on social matters is. It moves you and leads you to a state of complete identification not only with the "hero" of the film, but also with the whole village dwellers. Their pain is your pain. Tavernier manages to create an atmosphere where people are real by letting the camera follow the protagonists and avoiding stupid camera movements and takes. Life is usually lived without make-up. Certainly, this is the kind of film Americans won't shoot and award. When you see it, you ought to pause and think.
Review of It All Starts Today
