This is a cinematic rendition of the first volume of Joseph Pagnol's memoir, directed by his friend Yves Robert and set at the turn of the 20th Century. The primary relationship it depicts is between a young boy, Marcel, played by Julien Ciamaca, and his schoolteacher father. It's a loving one, but to us strangely distant and formal, we might say "Victorian." The boy seems a bit old to still accept the lies told him regarding sex and reproduction: I didn't know the French were ever that prudish! Marcel is at an age where he deeply admires his father, yet has begun to see through the hollow pretensions of all adults. The title is perfectly chosen to encapsulate his conflict. In the course of his summer holiday in the countryside, Marcel meets a lovely friend, Lili, of whom I would have liked to see more (and who certainly would have set him right about the "facts of life". Sadly, both boys appear to have acted only in this film and its sequel, "Le Château de ma Mere."
Review of My Father's Glory
