This gentle romance, Le Fils de l'Épicier (The Grocer's Son), came out in my town on the same weekend as The Dark Knight, so I'm afraid that it might be easily overlooked. It doesn't have the backstage drama of an ill-fated, young star becoming immortal by dying young nor does it have an international incident involving any of its stars.
There is nothing deep or brooding about it and no special effects or CGI were used. If this was re-made in a few years, it would have too much gloss and glamor to seem like a story about real people.
This 2007 movie, directed by Eric Guirado and written by Guirado and Florence Vignon, was released in the U.S. in June of this year. The lead actor, Nicolas Cazalé, was nominated for a César for his role as a prodigal son, returning from a self-imposed exile in the city to find his place in the world as the grocer's son.
Cazalé plays Antoine, a shy, 30-year-old man who has been drifting through life in the big city, going from job to job, unhappy and a bit surly. His latest job is as a waiter and he feels the impersonal nature of urban life. He is smitten with his neighbor, Claire (Clotilde Hesme), who is divorced, a bit impoverished and studying to enter college — something she gave up when she married so young.
Antoine's father (Daniel Duval) collapses and his mother (Jeanne Goupil) is left alone to tend their mom-and-pop store that includes a van. Antoine borrows money for Claire and agrees to work until his father gets well. Antoine's older brother, François (Stéphan Guérin-Tillié), has remained in the village and is married, but only technically married — something he hides from his parents. It is up to Antoine to drive the route and sell merchandise, but his prickly personality turns his father's customers away. Claire comes along one day and charms his customers, most of them elderly and some increasingly suffering from the debilitating ravages of old age. From this we see that part of Antoine's gruffness is due to his introversion. With Claire, we see his inner sweetness slowly peek out.
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Article comments
1 - Jen
So cool to see this film reviewed here as I'm a huge fan of the Film Movement series (believe I've reviewed more than 40 of their films). Needless to say, I'm so thrilled you sought it out!
I believe it's their next DVD-of-the-month selection over at their website filmmovement.com. The Grocer's Son was excellent-- understated and subtle. It kind of reminded me of classic Rohmer and it was one of those gentle "people movers" you'll definitely want to share with others. Loved the scene involving the two painting the van-- so spontaneous and beautiful!
If you check out the press notes at the Film Movement website, there's a cool interview with the filmmaker wherein you'll discover the director based the film on the lives of real traveling grocers he met in the south of France.
2 - Purple Tigress
I had read that the filmmaker filmed real traveling grocers. I believe that's why one critic called a documentary-like film.
I thought there was a time when filmmakers did just that, instead of falling back on CGI and superstars.
I didn't want to give away too much of the plot because I hope that people will be surprised at the small revelations.
I look forward to see more films by this filmmaker.
3 - Jen
Good call-- it's always nice to see a different approach to moviemaking than "CGI and superstars"! :)