Manon of the Spring

Movie description This sequel to 1986's JEAN DE FLORETTE stars Emmanuelle Beart as Manon (the daughter of JEAN DE FLORETTE's protagonist). Manon has grown up to become a beautiful woman, a shy and resourceful shepherdess who lives in relative seclusion from the townspeople of her provencal village, haunted by the tragic death of her father (played by Gerard Depardieu in part one). An outsider, like her father, Manon stays high up in the rugged hills preferring the company of her sheep to her nearby neighbors César (Yves Montand) and Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil). One fateful day, Manon discovers the real reason why her father's spring ran dry and comes up with a powerful revenge to exact on the men responsible for her father's downfall. Manon's action changes her life forever and uncovers long-hidden family secrets that powerfully affect the local villagers. This charming and poignant fable, based on Marcel Pagnol's classic story is a richly filmed tale of a small triumph over tragedy. Emmanuelle Beart's beauty radiates throughout the film, she delivers a subtle and captivating performance. Once again, director Claude Berri films with a sensitive eye for the wild beauty of the French countryside that perfectly compliments the seductive and earthy beauty of its nubile young star. Credits Producer: Claude Berri Cast: Elisabeth Depardieu, Hippolyte Girardot Details Edition: World Films Sound: Stereo Sound, Film has yellow subtitles for easy legibility. DVD Features: Region 1 Keep Case Widescreen Single Side - Single Layer Audio: Dolby Digital - French Additional Release Material: Theatrical Trailer Editorial reviews "...MANON OF THE SPRING reminds us how gratifying good old-fashioned revenge can be..." Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas (12/24/1987) Portions of this page Copyright 1981 - 2010 Muze Inc. All rights reserved.

Less a sequel than a seamless continuation of its predecessor, Jean de Florette, Manon of the Spring brings with it a more epic scope as it depicts the growth to womanhood of the daughter (Emmanuelle Béart) of the doomed farmer of the first film. As she discovers the truth of what happened to her father as a result of the scheming of their neighbor (Yves Montand), who took the land for himself, she vows revenge, realizing that the neighbor's deeds have irrevocably shaped the course of her life. Her moves toward avenging her father's demise provide an ironic twist to this harsh and thought-provoking saga, and French director Claude Berri perfectly illustrates the lasting consequences of deceit, greed, and revenge. Manon of the Spring is a very special foreign film choice, destined to be revered for years to come. --Robert Lane