The second of two films based on Marcel Pagnol's novel , being perfectly adapted , including heartrending interpretations , superb photography and spectacular outdoors . This is a magnificent follow-up to Jean De Florette dealing with life a Provencal village in the 1920s , there two scheming countrymen planning their neighbour to fail his crop and ruin him by means of traps , as the city-born hunchback Jean (astonishing Gerard Depardieu who had his real-life wife Elisabeth Depardieu as screen-partner) chances for survival fade without water for his rabbits . As in drought-ridden Provence there is a single spring that is blocked by two nasty farmers . This sequel concerns on the adult daughter of the dead hunchback called Manon (Emmanuel Beart who subsequently married Daniel Auteuil) , as the action switches 10 years on , she plots vengeance on the two men , (a veteran Yves Montand and his rat-like nephew excellently played by Daniel Auteuil) , whose greedy conspiracy to acquire her her father's land caused his death years earlier. As there takes place as fight for a fertile piece of land. The vendetta proves greatest than she could ever imagine .
This devastating follow-up takes up the tale of envy , deception , ambition and jealousy in 1920s rural France . This following is almost as good as the original , though results to be a less involving effort than its predecessor . The first and second installment were simultaneously filmed at a cost of 17 million dollars , a real French record and was a successful box office . On the whole this picture turns out to be sensitive , colorful and with great dramatic effect thanks to interesting as well as thought-provoking script by Gerard Brach , Polanski's usual , helped by the same director Claude Berri . Very good acting for a French all-star cast , such as Yves Montand who gives a touching performance , Daniel Auteuil is once again extraordinary as the dim-witted farmer and a gorgeous Emmanuel Beart as beautiful but shy shepherdess . Enjoyable support cast such as Hippolyte Girardot as the local schoolmaster , Margarita Lozano , among others .
Rich cinematography by Bruno Nuytten , plenty of color with the warmth of a French countryside in summer . Emotive and sensitive score Jean-Claude Petit , including Giuseppe Verdi music . This well lauded and awarded motion picture was compellingly written and directed by Claude Berri , along the first part he creates an imposing achievement ; together they make up a dramatic masterpiece . It was showered with prizes , as British Academy : the best adaptation , screenplay and actor Daniel Auteuil ; and French Cesar to actress , Emmanuel Beart , and actor , Daniel Auteuil . Rating : Essential and indispensable watching . Well worth seeing .
This devastating follow-up takes up the tale of envy , deception , ambition and jealousy in 1920s rural France . This following is almost as good as the original , though results to be a less involving effort than its predecessor . The first and second installment were simultaneously filmed at a cost of 17 million dollars , a real French record and was a successful box office . On the whole this picture turns out to be sensitive , colorful and with great dramatic effect thanks to interesting as well as thought-provoking script by Gerard Brach , Polanski's usual , helped by the same director Claude Berri . Very good acting for a French all-star cast , such as Yves Montand who gives a touching performance , Daniel Auteuil is once again extraordinary as the dim-witted farmer and a gorgeous Emmanuel Beart as beautiful but shy shepherdess . Enjoyable support cast such as Hippolyte Girardot as the local schoolmaster , Margarita Lozano , among others .
Rich cinematography by Bruno Nuytten , plenty of color with the warmth of a French countryside in summer . Emotive and sensitive score Jean-Claude Petit , including Giuseppe Verdi music . This well lauded and awarded motion picture was compellingly written and directed by Claude Berri , along the first part he creates an imposing achievement ; together they make up a dramatic masterpiece . It was showered with prizes , as British Academy : the best adaptation , screenplay and actor Daniel Auteuil ; and French Cesar to actress , Emmanuel Beart , and actor , Daniel Auteuil . Rating : Essential and indispensable watching . Well worth seeing .