Manon of the Spring

Essentially a continuation of Jean de Florette, this is a worthy sequel to the latter. Whilst ostensibly the story details how the two landowners of the prior film get their comeuppance, this is not a film that revels in revenge or the heroine’s eventual triumph, rather it prefers to offer a more nuanced approach and manages to offer some empathy and understanding towards the characters despised in the original. Yves Montand is the star here as he gradually comes to accept the consequences of his actions and the pain he is caused and while the final revelations of the film can appear a little contrived, it nevertheless still packs a considerable emotional beat that works really well.

The second part loses quite a bit in intensity, though it never loses its grip entirely. Auteuil and Montand remain the heart of the film, carrying much of the emotional weight. Béart and Girardot bring a welcome freshness, but it’s not quite enough to stop the plot from faltering here and there. What saves it is that the characters remain deeply compelling, you’re still invested in every look, every decision. A softer, less devastating follow-up, but still a powerful close to the story.

what a way to end a duelogy. absolutely great writing. its like a greek tragedy but not so too. belivable characters and progression. the story hits you. you get invested. and that investment is respected throughout the movie. recommended. truly a underrated classic.