Antoinette dans les Cévennes

From the opening frame this film had me . Quirky delightful engaging Antoinette takes off on what is first a stalking hiking holiday But gains so much more the scenery is unbelievable . And it followes the hiking trail of Robert Louis Stevenson The adorable donkey will win over any cold heart . Laughter all the way through with great comic timing.

This charming, bucolic comedy is undeniably the most beautiful surprise that French cinema has given us lately. At times, it made me think of 'Wild' (with Reese Witherspoon), but without the dramatic side of it. It's more a 'light' comedy, with a 'screwball' side to it. Caroline Vignal initiates a dialogue with Stevenson's own novel, 'Travels With a Donkey in the Cévennes', a book that has since become one of the pillars of modern 'travel literature' and that is linked with the emotional journey of Antoinette. The latter is played by Laure Calamy who finds with this project her first leading role that allows her to fully display her tremendous acting skills. In addition of being in every frames and frequently alone on the screen, facing an imperturbable donkey, she composes a complex comic performance. Oftenly funny without ever appearing like an idiot, she succeeds to express, between her moments of touching clumsiness, a strong sensitivity though marvelously avoiding any boring lament tirades. My Donkey, My Lover & I is a very sweet portrait of a very likeable human being, and her sincere energy is so irresistible you can only follow her in her great journey.

When a film is well written and remains faithful to the basic feeling for which it was wanted to make, jobs like this are obtained. After watching the movie I finished with a smile on my face, sometimes a fairy tale story is necessary even if it is not about a white horse and it is not necessarily a true prince, but the magic is always there for those who know where to look.

Strong script, well acted, beautiful mountain scenery, great original music... some very funny moments, and some intelligent insights. Highly recommended.

In kanopy, it's listed as my donkey, my lover and i; in imdb, it's antoinette dans les cévennes. When vlad can't go away with antoinette on a vacation, she decides to follow him anyway. But there's one problem. Vlad's vacation will be spent with his own wife and daughter.... on a long, difficult hike in the french mountains. And the group antoinette is in disapproves. (why would she tell them anyway?) things go okay. Until vlad's wife confronts her on the trail. And then her donkey starts acting up. It's simple but cute. Moves quite slowly. Part of the charm is the beauty of the countryside. Not a lot happens, but antoinette learns a few things before it's over. Beautiful scenery of les cévennes in françe. For the details of stevenson's actual journey, see the travels with a donkey entry in wikipedia. Directed by caroline vignal. Inspired by robert L stevenson's book.