Le temps des porte-plumes

A story about the adopted child in France farmer's family. A warm reminder of my childhood, maybe also yours. There is not much conflict between the child and the parent, the focus is on the feeling of a child in a strange environment and his boyish reaction. There are not much talks. That makes me feel easy (Not a good French speaker viewing a French film with no sub-title!) The mutual understanding is reached by a lot of glances between the parents and the child. The child has his own quietness and charm, which very similar to the farmers. I think that is the reason you find harmony between them. Not many films would give you the same peace in mind in the numerous selections of films. Overall a relaxing and comfortable film, which is good for everybody.

I guess this is s semi autobiographic story, because director Daniel Duval was also a child who was raised by foster parents, in the Allier departement; French countryside. I also guess this is a realistic feature, bringing many details, showing accurate things not necessarily known from large audiences. This is not LES HAUTS MURS, though, also a drama speaking of orphans behind the gates of an orphanage between two world wars. This movie, LES HAUTS MURS, was rough, brutal, but also poignant. This one is also gripping but far smoother, a film easily destined to all kind of people, young or less young. It is obviously a film which can't hope a large success, not gigantic gross in the end. But Daniel Duval has never been such a director; on the contrary, his filmography - even as a director, because he was mainly an actor - proves that each of this movies was something else than meaningless. All moving stories. This one is the best proof. Also a gripping performance of Annie Girardot, as usual.