Le Grand Chemin

Of course, after that stupid American remake <Paradise>, with Griffith and Johnson, this alone probably stunted <Le Grand Chemin> from being more recognized.

When I call this a 'dramady', I mean that the technical classification of this film is "drama", because it centers around a married couple who have fallen out of passion or interest for each other since the death of their (unborn?) son. All events occuring around them; the shy little boy who comes to stay with them, the curious, know-it-all girl-neighbor, and even the pace of the movie maintain realism, so that you believe you are in someone's house watching their lives. I was mostly feeling for the couple and hoping they would mend their icy and resentful feelings toward each other.

What's beautiful about the movie is that all the elements come together for an emotional ending. At that point, I realized the boy in the movie (and all people in life) can inadvertently make a great contribution to other people's lives.



-Sep

I remember of "Le grand Chemin", as if i were there in this movie as in my own life in a different period. As if little things of life which can be worthless for grow up can be very important to children, for lifetime . I remember Vanessa Guedj who i miss and who i do not see anymore actually. I remember of this atmosphere where untold stories are more painful than the words. I remember the childhood universe that we are building to "go away", i remember that a whole lifetime does not matter, that everything is done and that the bad part of it can finally be the good part of life. (sorry for my English). is n't this any lines ? Now it's OK so...

An uplifting and disturbing film. A heady mixture of innocence and sensuality. Maybe it was the person that I saw this film with, but it showed the sort of summer I (and she) would dearly love to have experienced. If you follow enough French, see it in the original.

As a genre, I love the so-called "coming-of-age" movies. This one, even though it's French, is one I watch over and over again since I bought the VHS tape. I don't know why it's not available on DVD in the United States,; I know that it is available in Europe. The little girl in the movie is the perfect little tomboy, and has loads to teach her summer friend about life. It's based in the 50s when worldly kids were actually kind of rare. Then there's the heartbreaking sub-story of a childless couple who haven't been intimate in years due to the loss of their own child. Louis gives them both the kind of love they've never known, and they realize what's been missing in their lives. It's just a beautiful story, and I would love for this film to be re-introduced in the United States for a new generation to discover and enjoy. There was an American remake done in the early nineties, but it sucked royally compared to the original French film.

What a delight! This sensitive drama is about as realistic as a film can be, and it enters your heart without being overly sentimental or harsh. See it with a caring, thoughtful, compassionate spirit, and prepare to settle in for film making at its best.