Jean de Florette (1986)

Nominated for a Golden Globe in 1988, this duology directed by Claude Berri remains his crowning achievement.From the title I expected this film to be a romance about a girl named Jean, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was far from the case.

The film includes star of 1953's The Wages of Fear, Yves Montand, as well as Gérard Depardieu, better known to me for his role two years later in the film Green Card, which won the Golden Globe for best Comedy/Musical.

The film is about an Uncle and Nephew, Montand and Daniel Auteuil, who decide to change crops. They come to the conclusion that the land that their neighbor has is more suitable and plot to purchase it. After an untimely [forced] death of the owner, Jean and his family move in. The Uncle/Nephew then go to work making the man fail.

It is a sad film and we see signs of failure and success. I really enjoyed the acting and the plot was compelling. The only flaw, which really isn't much of one, is that you have to watch the sequel. Made basically right after this film, and intended to be seen at a "part 2," the story is very incomplete without it. A pleasure to finish several imdb top 250 lists for me.

Vote: 8/10

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091288/

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