Le Grand Chemin

Le Grand Chemin (English, `The Grand Highway') tells a familiar story of a preteen sent to live with his relatives during the summer of his mother's labor; when he gets back he will deal with the drastic personal changes that occur in any kid's life (new school, adolescence, friends, etc.). In the meantime he discovers the ropes of ways according to various characters that live in his relative's rustic village. Well acted by Richard Bohringer and the entire cast of several unknowns.

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

A really superior film, this story of a 9 year-old boy leaving his mother temporarily to live in a small French town. He becomes educated to the ways of adults with the help of a worldy-wise girl aged 10. Although children are featured, this definitely is an adult movie, not one for small children.

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...

This is one of the rare movies that combine all the elements to tell a meaningful story in a light, pleasant, funny, and very touching way. Very French in the best sense. At the end you know how the future will be, how the story will continue, and you are happy.