The Children of the Marshland (1999) User Reviews (21)

Yearning after the past

[Jabberwock · 8/10 · 12 October 1999]

Is it possible to make an exceptional film with miserable people?

However, the children of the marsh, ordinary in their surroundings, become extraordinary when one throws them in the midst of civilization, actually in a pretty small French town stuffed with good wealthy "bourgeois".

The children of the marsh live in surroundings which could have been one of men living in middle ages, when sickness permitted only a short longevity.

It is the Utopia of nature's children, but with at hand all the resorts of civilization...and all its dangers, since the action goes between the two World Wars.

It is also the contrast of the solidarity between the children of the marsh and the good-natured selfishness of a prosperous middle class, which at the same time loves and rejects them.

Nostalgia in layers

[tomquick · 8/10 · 16 August 2007]

I picked this film up in a French gas station promotion several years ago and watch it from time to time. The film drips nostalgia....I'd almost expect Gabin or Fernandel to appear as it unfolds. And in a way you do see them - Michel Serrault (adieu), Suzanne Flon - their presence evokes French cinema of yore. Others evoke the classic French cinema of today - Villeret and Dussollier the consummate journeymen. This ensemble plays against scenarios which are uniquely French: the naif love of American jazz, living off the land's bounty (snails, mayday bouquets, and frog fishing - the only time you'll ever see this in a film), and a complex social order which is both egalitarian and stratified.

While the nostalgia is thick, reality is in easy view....the marsh becomes a site for a hypermarche. For me that's just another layer of nostalgia, though - part of the memory of living there for a short time. The last time I visited, even the gas station giveaways were gone. France is ever changing, yet somehow remains the same.

Boring is boring, even if it is by a beautiful location

[David_Niemann · 7/10 · 14 June 2003]

Riton and Garriss are friends who live by a picturesque marsh, in early 1900's France and make a living by selling flowers, snails and frogs. Former Manchester United football star Eric Cantona plays boxer Jo Sardi, who is in town for a big title fight. The film follows their adventures and the different people they meet, some friends, some lovers and some enemies.

I found most of the locations to be very good looking and very pleasing to the eye. And the film does contain some bits of comedy and drama, but the majority of the film is just so boring. Sometimes it seems as if the film has no point, and aimlessly wanders from boring scene to boring scene.

I really enjoyed Jacques Villeret in "The Dinner Game", but for the most part I found him really irritating and he got on my nerves a lot in this film. Jacques Gamblin does a good job of his character. But for the first half of the film I just couldn't fall in love with the two characters, which is very bad considering this is a character based film rather than plot based.

Eric Cantona might have been a good football player but as an actor he should have got a red card. Every single scene he is in is ultimately pointless and boring. If all of his scenes were cut it wouldn't make too much of a difference. In the scene where he has the run in with Riton, near the beginning, he drasticly over-acts to the point of crassness. In fact, the first 30 minutes could be cut and not too much would be lost.

But for the weak (and pointless, i.e. Jo Sardi) characters, there are a bunch of good characters. One of my favorites is Mr Richard. The scenes with him and his grandson are very touching and moving. He certainly adds a lot to the film.

Amedee is another nice character, who is interested in music and books. He tags along on some of the main protagonists adventures. I also think he looks like TV host Jerry Springer!

The other character that I most enjoyed was Madame Mercier. Riton and Garriss do work in her garden (though Riton prefers to drink her fine wine rather than slave in her garden!).

Ultimately, a nice ending, a few good characters and the beautiful location can't fully compensate for the arduous and boring scenes, which sadly make up most of the film.

Gravely disappointing.

7/10

Slick- In- The- Muds

[writers_reign · 6 February 2004]

About once or twice a year I see a movie like this - most often, alas, from France or Italy - that makes me seriously wonder how, in this age of popcorn,slasher, and technology movies anyone gets the finance to make decent, honest, feelgood fare with little or no sex, violence, scatology just REAL people who look real and not like Actors ACTING, who just meander gently through life and celebrate 'old fashioned' values in lives punctuated by minor moments. This is just such a gem and it would be churlish to single out any of the fine actors involved, even Eric Cantona - presumably there to help financing - acquits himself passably in the little non-acting that is required of him. A film like this reminds you that yes, Nostalgia IS what it used to be. 10/10

A sunday movie

[qwedermark · 9/10 · 21 February 2004]

This is a movie I would recomend for a boring sunday afternoon when you're feeling a bit blue and you're trying to evade thoughts of the outside world.

The scenery is beautiful and the word that comes to mind when I think of the message of the movie is - compassion. It's a low key story about fríendship and it really brightened my boring sunday afternoon.

Picturesque - a must see!

[tomlevi · 10/10 · 26 July 2003]

A masterpiece from Jean Becker, 'Les Enfants du Marais' is a stunning celebration of the spirit of the common man. The film features an admirable performance by Michel Serrault as 'Pépé', set in the picturesque French countryside. Dreujou's breath-taking photography makes the film a must for any French-loving film-goer.

A real feel good movie.

Magnificent

[yngvaso · 10/10 · 26 August 2005]

This little french gem of a film is in fact one of the best films I have ever seen. It is a story about true friendship and devotion and it shows what we who live in the so-called modern world have lost. Everything about the film is just perfect. It is funny, moving, filmed in a beautiful setting and yes,even Cantona makes a strong performance. Even though I am not an anti Hollywood "besserwisser" it is good to see films like this which main focus is to tell a really good story and to make you feel good. Yes, I now that this is a cliché but it is just what this film does to your brain. See it and understand what should be the most important things in your life.

Highly recommended.

When Life is -and still can be- good as it gets

[timothyjs · 10/10 · 16 November 2006]

Les Enfants Du Marais is a wonderful tale not only on account of its evocative imagery, atmospheric scenery and the fact that it is populated by genuine characters you know, once knew, or would like to know - it is a welcome and straight-forward reminder of what is important in life. Friendship and love and the simple but ever compelling pleasure found in physical work and play with a purpose; these are the scenarios in which true happiness is enjoyed to its fullest extent. It's not about tree-hugging, sandal-wearing save-the-world ideas but about true freedom -and what we choose to do with it. We get to witness the futility and sad contrivance of pomp and pride but also the power of change and a spot of kindness. Always without judgement yet never without feeling. This movie is not downright sentimental or nostalgic; it just happens to be good in what might be called an old-fashioned way, and it serves up some great laughs along the way. Above all, this is a movie for movie lovers with their hearts and minds in the right place.

Francophiles, see this movie - it's gorgeous

[gardner-8 · 9/10 · 15 July 2000]

I found this two-hour long story of friendship absorbing and deeply satisfying. It's a feast for the eyes, and hearing the French language tumbling over you adds to the atmosphere - you can almost smell it too. The French countryside is lovely to look at and the simplicity of the main protagonists' lives is beguiling (admittedly the weather always seemed close to perfect!). It's a nostalgic, evocative look at the past with realistic, thoroughly likeable characters.

nothing more than a commercial..

[mutefaktor · 1/10 · 5 March 2003]

hmmm.. I read sumone thought the french language added atmosphere (lol!). I agree with that. It´s also the nicest thing I can say about this crap. I sat through it waiting for something to happen. All in vain...

This is a boring movie made for boring people, though if edited with a butchers knife it could make a pretty good tourist commercial...

I like most french films I´ve seen, darn I usually even like slow movies where u have to fill in the blanks yourself. but this.. this had no substance whatsoever!

Sensitive, funny, intelligent, beautiful. Unmissable

[marcoschwartz · 5 December 1999]

A little French gem that wraps you up in the lives of a group of friends in the 1920´s in France. Wonderfully acted and superbly directed, the story meanders gently through a number of seasons tracing their friendship and "amours", interlacing the finely drawn characters and sub-plots with consummate skill. At no time does the story flag, or become convoluted and the ending is simple and uncontrived. The photography is superb and reminiscent of "Manon des Sources"; Eric Cantona is surprisingly good as a champion boxer and even enlarges on his 1996 Selhurst Park performance. You will emerge from this extraordinary film edified and enriched and thanking the heavens that Hollywood isn´t the only place that makes films.

Beautifully shot and featuring splendid performances

[ereinion · 9/10 · 21 June 2005]

This movie, in Norway titled "Summer in the Loire valley", is most likely the best one Eric Cantona ever starred in and he does a good job as the disgraced boxer Jo Sardi looking for revenge in the Loire valley. What really makes this film a treat is the beautiful landscapes, excellent photography and also the splendid performances by Cantona and others. It also has a good story which is interesting to follow. This is a heartwarming movie to enjoy on any night.

It is almost worth a 10, but I give it a 9 because the story is not engaging enough. This was obviously a film that was made for a wide audience and therefore has a lighter tone. Still, it is nonetheless a very good film which gives us Cantona at his best. And that is a reason enough to watch it.

Perfect !

[guppyjaja · 10/10 · 20 October 2002]

"Les enfants du Marais" is one of the best movies I've ever seen! The scenario is beautiful and moving. It is such a poignant story of friendship! At the end of it, we feel really peaceful. Those who love sex and violence will hate ! :-)

A big movie about friendship and all the difficulties it may arise.

[bernard-11 · 10/10 · 10 March 1999]

At the beginning, appears as a nice movie, a bit of a "gentillette" story. As the drama evolves, it a really big movie on friendship and all the kindness, affection, agressivity and frustration it may cause. The characters are painted with subtility, they change during the play and the spectator is not stuck in the observation of one or two preeminent persons, but all a little community living in the country during the 20's.

(Sorry folks, my French is much better than my English, but I think anyone will catch what I'd like to mean).

"What an Adventure!"

[clairepeek · 9/10 · 7 January 2007]

Children Marshlands is one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. It tells a period that does not exist anymore. After-war (first world war) seen by a little girl: Cricri. The simple happiness of living in the marshes and the joy of being "the last free men". The movie starts with Garris (Jacques Gamblin) and Riton (Jacques Villeret) picking lily of the valley, as it is the day before May, the 1st.

Two friends who are walking on the same path for a while, where everyday is rocked with courtesy, respect, friendship, sudden changes in mood ... and nothing can prevent them both from living the way they want. Cricri, Riton's daughter, will fall in love with "Pierrot from town", "Pépé La Rainette" (Michel Serrault) grand-son. Pépé used to live in the marsh and after working very hard he made a fortune, but remains illiterate. The first time he meets Garris in the marsh, I expected the shock of two universes (rich-poor), but Pépé did not forget where he came from. A friendship that will never die. We also meet Amédé (André Dussolier), rich man who never worked in his entire life, books and Jazz lover ; he will discover the snails gathering "What an adventure!".

You will meet a lot of unforgettable characters like Jo the boxer (Eric Cantona), Tane the railwayman (Jacques Boudet) or Madame Mercier (Gisèle Casadesus) the old lady by Pépé's house. Delightful ! Children Marshlands is a painting full of life and the simple joys of existence. To be seen again and again, with friends, family, even alone. It will be a consolation for you for the rest of the day, of the week, or more.

A movie for warming the soul

[ruggerodifossa · 10/10 · 27 July 2006]

Les Enfants du Marais is a movie for people who love friendship, more innocent times and rural France from an era when life was so full of wonderful experiences.

I watch this movie when I want to escape from the "Techno Age" which engulfs our modern lives.

The scene when Garriss, Riton and Amedee go "Snail Hunting" is just sublime.

The movie's sad ending allows anyone with a heart to reflect on what has been, and the way the world is headed.

C'est la vie.

It's all sweetness and light and... but.

[jc-leu-fr · 1/10 · 16 September 2020]

Despite of a popular success reception at the release, Despite of the shooting in a very beautiful location, a decent photography, and the adaptation of a nostalgia novel, the movie totally fails to achieve the complexity of the characters. Characters often over-simplified, idealized or ostracized. The famous cast actors are reduced to perform gross stereotypes. We can doubt they were really employing their nuanced talent.

The various intrigues, after abrupt twists and sudden dead-ends, generally drift all into a lesson of nostalgic morale. The movie editing grossly points too much about this or that inner-or-open conflict, just too absolutely send it in oblivion after, for the profit of an unconditional optimism.

Considered the original material, the movie would have deserved and gained from much more nuance and subtility. Instead, the overall fell-good atmosphere celebrating this lost way of life seems at the end artificial, at all cost. ... and doesn't reflect at all the lifestyle of that time and area. (I know that last point. My grandparents lived in that place and time).

Wonderfully unpretentious

[ultimate89 · 31 August 2000]

The Children of the Marshland is a beautifully made, rich, warm, funny and moving film. An air of nostalgia floats through it, reminiscing of an era gone by. The themes are deep and thoughtful, and as the seasons change time naturally stands still. The screenplay is a little bumpy, but this is a French film well worth your time. 3.5 stars.

Before light there was simplicity and now nostalgia

[andrewscate · 9/10 · 13 September 2023]

Loved this film for the frogs, the fish and the friendship! The simplicity and the details of a slice in time of a life lived together with friends and environment appealed to me. Narrated by the older woman we see as a child gives a warm delicate dream-like quality beyond a child's story or the refusal to accept change.

Sometimes even through tough times the simplicity in love is remembered warmly as well as a warning for the present. The marshlands long gone and industrialisation changing relations relationships and the environment means an altered humanity, a city-scape industrial human with strangeness as estrangement from the smaller town social interactions and knowledge, the stories shared, to a more work oriented life denying world without fishing for supper and frogs where you can find them.

Light came and did light up the marshlands once from a amile and close friendship, then to memories of this love in the lights of the new city.

A synergism of friendship rarely seen in film

[Remnant_Of_The_Abyss · 26 February 2011]

This film delivers. It's a slice of life set in the beautiful French countryside.

It starts out very simple but keeps building, relationships evolving and unfolding into a glorious crescendo. The friendship between Garriss and Riton is a synergy that is not often captured in film. Garriss finds family, one that is missing from his life. Riton is guided, taught about life and social skills, the very things where he lacks knowledge.

While the relationships between the adults in this film are a wonderment, the relationships between the children are heartwarming. This film delivers on both ends of the life cycle spectrum.

A reviewer commented, "I sat through it waiting for something to happen" and was disappointed. I contend that if one watches this film waiting for a shootout, nudity/sex scene, a car chase, an explosion, or any of the other typical Hollywood cliché subplots, he or she will be disappointed. This film stands on it's own, having a morality just as high as the values it depict.

You don't sit through this film "waiting for something to happen". Something happens to you! You're immersed in a world of nostalgia, one that will warm your soul and broaden your notions of what life is really about, and how life really should be.

Watching the river flow.

[dbdumonteil · 10 March 2013]

With one exception ,a wonderful cast :Jacques Gamblin, as the failed romantic male lead;Jacques Villeret in one of his parts really worthy of himself;Gisele Casadesus as the old lady who is rather partial to taking snuff;Michel Serrault as a bourgeois,who,unlike his offspring,does not disown his past ;and as icing on the cake ,Suzanne Flon's voice over -she appears at the end of the movie but I knew it was her by the sound of her marvelous voice .André Dussolier is good as an idle dandy ,but with sometimes a tendency to hog the stage .

This may be a tribute to the old cinema of the thirties (particularly "La Belle Equipe" by Duvivier) and of his dad Jacques ("Casque D'Or") but there's no real plot ;it's rather a chronicle of a lazy life on the banks of the Loire,with its simple joys (the lily of the valley,the snails,the tyre which becomes a swing and a beautiful symbol of the ruthless passage of time in the last pictures). One can feel a certain misogyny -which was sometimes present in the French cinema of the thirties -: Villeret's wife is an ugly shrew,who never smiles,even to her children ;and Marie,the girl with whom Gamblin falls in love ,is only in search of a money match -but we are told ,when Gamblin leaves the place to never return ,that "she has not heard the last of him " . Male camaraderie indeed!

The weakest link is the unbearable "actor" Eric Cantona, but ,as his scenes are not really included in the main story ,if you watch the movie again,it's easy to skip them.

like this? try these .... "La Gloire De Mon Père" and "Le Château De Ma Mère" Yves Robert (1989)