Review by charlot47-81-373873

Charlie is a market trader criss-crossing France in an old van to sell oilcloths, in balmy summer and bitter winter, eating in little bistros and sleeping in cheap hotels. Working hard, he makes enough to live his simple life and always stays cheerful. He has the immense advantage of two delightful girls, Guislaine and Josyane, cousins at a loose end after leaving school and happy to share his wanderings. Revelling in the freedom of life on the road, the girls enjoy each other's company and that of Charlie,

The three have many adventures, until Josyane goes off with another trader who has a big mouth and a big caravan, towed by a big Cadillac. Guislane, sweet and more sensible, stays with Charlie as the two travel on around France for months, hoping every day to find and rescue Josyane. Just when they decide to give up their hopeless search, they see her collapsed at a bus stop and the happy team is reunited.

A simple tale about simple people, set in a real world. Not raising any great issues, it praises the everyday virtues of good humour, hard work, modest tastes and, above all, loyal friendship. A huge contrast with Seria's preceding "Mais ne nous délivrez pas du mal", which instead had two very naughty girls, and using a less highly-coloured emotional palette than the next three. I say three, because "Comme la lune" fits in well with his two films before it and should not be omitted.