Monsieur Batignole

The great strength of: Monsieur Batignole, already resides in a careful and readable production, moreover it benefits from wonderful interpretations, qualified as fair and remarkable by its actors including and especially: Gérard Jugnot (marvelous of emotion and truth) and Jean-Paul Rouve (César for best male hope in 2003). The other actors in the movie were also exemplary. This movie is also a fiction, it is incredibly good, a suspense will reign as well as splendid scenes of tenderness which will delight your heart, without the realization exaggerating in any way on certain scenes which are real jewels. A Magnificent movie.

This does for the German occupation of France what "Life Is Beautiful" did for that of Italy. It's a wonderfully warm and even humourous story set against the horror of the holocaust. The characters are well drawn and the camera sees the German occupation through decidedly French eyes. No propaganda. No punches pulled. No attempt to deny that many French collaborated with the Nazis. And no false heroics. M. Batignole is a timid hero indeed but a genuine hero nonetheless. A refreshing new perspective on the war years with much to praise and nothing to criticise.

Although some of the characters are clichés, they are all well acted. The film manages to mix its humor with the seriousness of the subject without the awkwardness and maudlin artificiality of "Life is Beautiful." I don't know if this has been released in the U.S. (I saw it on an Air France flight), but it is worth looking for.

Comedy/drama with splendid performance from Gerard Jugnot as a grocer who becomes involved numerous risks and adventures to save three little Jews . 1942 Paris is under Nazi occupation , there a store keeper named Edmond Batignole (Gerard Jugnot) benefits this situation . He lives with his spouse (Michelle Garcia) and daughter (Alexia Portal) in a small flat in the building of his grocery . Thanks to his future son-in-law , a notorious collaborationist (Jean-Paul Rouve) he organizes banquets for Germans . However his life changes when a Jewish little boy appears in his door asking for help . Batignole hides and protects him against his fateful destination by any means , despite risking to lose his privileged position . Later on , there appears his two Jews cousins , then Batignole decides to travel with three kiddies to Switzerland .

This is an interesting comedy/drama/war developed in an occupied France during the 40s and based on writing credits by Philippe Lopes and Gerard Jugnot. It's the feeling story about a humble grocer with sweet moments, humor and amusing situations . Interesting film is sometimes slipping into banal sentimentality , comedy or outright melodrama, three things that in this powerful portrayal are well combined . Over-all this is an engaging look to infancy friendship with periods of heavy-handed sentimentality . Extraordinary performances from duo protagonist, Gerard Jugnot acting similarly to Louis De Funes with excessive gesticulation , he plays an insignificant shop keeper turned into liberator hero and Jewish saving , and a likable kid stunningly interpreted by Jules Sitruk . Enjoyable relationship between the obstinate shop keeper and the Jewish know-all boy . This stirring and highly acclaimed riveting war comedy about a grocer who has intense relationship with a Jew boy is powered by marvelous performances being very well directed by Gerard Jugnot . He is a magnificent director and actor , his greatest hit was , of course , ¨The Chorus¨ . He has directed eleven films, generally , dramas and comedies , such as : 2008 Fashion victim, 2000 Meilleur Espoir Féminin 1994 Casque bleu , 1988 Sans Peur et sans Reproche ,1985 Scout Toujours , 1984 Pinot simple flic . ¨Monsieur Batignole¨ at his best and a highly rated film . Better than average , worthwhile watching .

Though a very heavy subject, Monsieur Batignole approaches the French collaboration and attempts of two Jewish families to escape war-time Paris in an enjoyable manner that is so common of Jugnot.

Jugnot plays one of his typical likeable characters who doesn't want to get involved, but finds himself nonetheless thrown in with three Jewish children as they attempt to escape to Switzerland. Jean-Paul Rouve also does a fabulous job of acting, making you hate him just for playing his character.

Well seasoned with humor, recognition and turning points, this is definitely a good film to see and perhaps even learn a lesson from.