Main Cast: Philippe Caubère, Julien Ciamaca, Nathalie Roussel, Didier Pain, Therese Liotard
Release Year: 1990
Country: FR
Run Time: 98 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
This charming motion picture relives the beautiful childhood memories of noted film director and writer Marcel Pagnol. While attending school in Marseilles, Marcel Julien Ciamaca daydreams about the nearby hills where he and his family spend vacations at a cottage. It is not enough to sojourn there over Christmas, Easter, and summer holidays; Marcel wants to be there all the time, to roam the fields, climb the rock faces, and enjoy other simple pleasures with his mother, father, and siblings. And then something marvelous happens. His mother Augustine (Nathalie Roussel) persuades his father Joseph (Philippe Caubere), a schoolteacher, to allow the family to spend each weekend at the cottage. Because they have no car, they must ride public transport part of the way, then walk the remaining five miles. However, a former pupil of Joseph's shows them a shortcut that crosses private estates and reduces the distance to only one mile. So the family enjoys weekend after wonderful weekend in the hills. Marcel plays with a country boy, picks thyme for the family's alfresco dinners, and meets a girl whom he rescues from spiders. Though she is an imperious little lass, Marcel is quite taken with her and even performs feats of derring-do to impress her. These carefree weekend outings continue until one day a heartless watchman charges the Pagnols with trespassing on an estate on their way to the cottage. Woe is Joseph. He believes his very proper school will fire him. But when the school officials call him in, they promote him! They know nothing of his trespassing, for Joseph's former pupil has tricked the watchman into dropping the charge. Then more good news comes; Marcel has won an academic prize. The film has a bittersweet ending in which Marcel, as an adult, reviews what has happened to the family members since those wonderful days when life was good and all was right with the world. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
Review
Rare is the film that dares to entertain without guns, computerized graphics, seamy sex, or maudlin sentimentality. Le Chateau de Ma Mère (aka My Mother's Castle) is such a film. Based on the memoirs of noted filmmaker and writer Marcel Pagnol, it celebrates the joys of family life in an age when the world spun slowly on its axis and little boys hearkened to the chirp of a cricket. The film follows the adventures of the Pagnol family on their weekend outings at a cottage in the hills surrounding Marseilles, France, in the first decade of the 20th century. They awaken to forest sounds and beckoning sunlight, eat at a table under a leafy canopy, and sleep in the quiet security of love. If only we, the viewers, could be with them. Beautiful Nathalie Roussel portrays Marcel's mother with engaging warmth as she turns the family's humble cottage into a castle in which her knights in shining armor -- husband Joseph (Philippe Caubère) and children Marcel (Julien Ciamaca) and Paul (Victorien Delamare) -- prepare to sally forth in search of adventure, or simply to laze in the shade of a tree. A delightful interlude involves Marcel's fascination with a bossy little girl (Julie Timmerman) who fancies herself a princess and Marcel her groveling servant. In response to her commands, he kisses her hand, crawls and barks like a dog, and listens attentively to her piano music. The film's script is outstanding, delivering gentle wit and poignant insights. The cinematography reveals the beauty of the Provençal countryside as well as the charm of a smiling child. Though the film is clearly nostalgic, it never stoops to artifice to achieve its effects. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide
Victorien Delamare - Paul, Age 5; Joris Molinas - Lili des Bellons; Jean Carmet - Old Estate Guard; André Chaumeau; Paul Crauchet - Edmond Des Parpaillouns; Raoul Curet - Monsieur Vincent; Jean-Pierre Darras - Marcel; Benjamin Detriche - Paul, Age 3; Victor Garrivier - Parish Priest; Ticky Holgado; Maxime Lombard - Monsieur Arnaud; Michele Loubet - Mademoiselle Guimard; Rene Loyon - Monsieur Besson; Pierre Maguelon - Francois; Benoit Martin - Marcel-Age 5; Jean Maurel; Michel Modo - le facteur; Jean Rochefort; Jean Rougerie - Secondhand Dealer; Julie Timmerman - Isabelle; Philippe Uchan - Bouzigue; Georges Wilson; Gerard Moulevrier; Patrick Prejean; Ivan Romeuf; Louis Lalanne
Credit
Guy Azzi - Art Director, Marc Goldstaub - Art Director, Agnes Negre - Costume Designer, Yves Robert - Director, Pierre Gillette - Editor, Vladimir Cosma - Composer (Music Score), Jacques Dugied - Production Designer, Robert Alazraki - Cinematographer, Marc Goldstaub - Producer, Alain Poiré - Producer, Lucette Andréi - Screenwriter, Yves Robert - Screenwriter, Jerome Tonnerre - Screenwriter, Marcel Pagnol - Book Author
