Yes, the film, like almost all Holocaust films, did well at awards time, getting two Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language film and Best original screenplay, it won the Golden Lion award at the 1987 Venice Film Festival, and swept up seven awards at the César Awards (France’s Oscars), including Best Director, Best Film, and Best Writing, among other honors.
But honors do not make up for the ‘could’a, should’a, would’a’ feeling one is left with after a film like this. And, unlike Chinese food, such leftover pangs do not demand a second helping. Thus, Malle’s film is what it is, a good, but not great, meal, served at a restaurant (Holocaust art) that one should only eat at sparingly, so whatever pungency it packs stays on the tongue longer, after its real flavor has faded, and the remembered taste seems all the more delicious.
Article comments
1 - moonraven
The first and, by far, the best film in Malle's trilogy of coming of age pictures is Le Souffle au Coeur (1971--released in the US as Murmur of the Heart).
It's a much more complex film than either Lacombe Lucien or Au revoir, les enfants--and it has the ebulliently wonderful actress Lea Massari as the mother, Clara, as well as a fine performance by Benoit Ferreux as Laurent.
The film did not receive the attention it deserved when it was released, as many critics were reluctant to take on the incest theme.
A charming,compassionate picture. Well worth re-seeing several times.
2 - Justin
This is simply one of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. We just watched this in French class, and there is only one word for it: amazing.
This is just one of those movies that can touch you deep down, and it left all of us thinking. This movie was powerful enough to move EVERYBODY. By the end, you found everybody from sensitive freshman girls to seniors on the varsity football team bawling their eyes out.
Between the moving (and true) story line and the incredible acting, this is a must-see.
3 - Christine
Although I agree with the critic on some points (the film does not engage one as it could) It left me thinking and made me come back again to absorb more. I watched it because my former supervisor at work has a bit part in it as one of the soliders who rounded up the Jewish boys. Not often you get to see your former boss in a Gestopo uniform! I thought the boys were excellent in their parts, but I DID wish to feel more for them when the Gestopo stormed in.
4 - bliffle
Excellent movie. As one would expect from Louis Malle.
Portrayal of people is his strongest skill. Even a modest Malle venture, such as the seldom seen TV documentary "Gods Country" (I seem to be one of the few who have seen it) shows his clarity of portrayal.
5 - bliffle
Excellent movie. As one would expect from Louis Malle.
Portrayal of people is his strongest skill. Even a modest Malle venture, such as the seldom seen TV documentary "Gods Country" (I seem to be one of the few who have seen it) shows his clarity of portrayal.