Les enfants du marais

The Children of the Marshland is a beautifully made, rich, warm, funny and moving film. An air of nostalgia floats through it, reminiscing of an era gone by. The themes are deep and thoughtful, and as the seasons change time naturally stands still. The screenplay is a little bumpy, but this is a French film well worth your time. 3.5 stars.

A masterpiece from Jean Becker, 'Les Enfants du Marais' is a stunning celebration of the spirit of the common man. The film features an admirable performance by Michel Serrault as 'Pépé', set in the picturesque French countryside. Dreujou's breath-taking photography makes the film a must for any French-loving film-goer.

A real feel good movie.

About once or twice a year I see a movie like this - most often, alas, from France or Italy - that makes me seriously wonder how, in this age of popcorn,slasher, and technology movies anyone gets the finance to make decent, honest, feelgood fare with little or no sex, violence, scatology just REAL people who look real and not like Actors ACTING, who just meander gently through life and celebrate 'old fashioned' values in lives punctuated by minor moments. This is just such a gem and it would be churlish to single out any of the fine actors involved, even Eric Cantona - presumably there to help financing - acquits himself passably in the little non-acting that is required of him. A film like this reminds you that yes, Nostalgia IS what it used to be. 10/10

I found this two-hour long story of friendship absorbing and deeply satisfying. It's a feast for the eyes, and hearing the French language tumbling over you adds to the atmosphere - you can almost smell it too. The French countryside is lovely to look at and the simplicity of the main protagonists' lives is beguiling (admittedly the weather always seemed close to perfect!). It's a nostalgic, evocative look at the past with realistic, thoroughly likeable characters.

This little french gem of a film is in fact one of the best films I have ever seen. It is a story about true friendship and devotion and it shows what we who live in the so-called modern world have lost. Everything about the film is just perfect. It is funny, moving, filmed in a beautiful setting and yes,even Cantona makes a strong performance. Even though I am not an anti Hollywood "besserwisser" it is good to see films like this which main focus is to tell a really good story and to make you feel good. Yes, I now that this is a cliché but it is just what this film does to your brain. See it and understand what should be the most important things in your life.

Highly recommended.