Rent Manon des Sources (1986)

As good as the First - Manon des Sources review by CP Customer

This film is as good as the first in the duo. (Jean de Florette). I was concerned that it may not be as good because Gerard Depardieu did not feature in it as he did in the first, but that turned out to be no so. Although the plot seemed a bit predictable, it did not bother me as the film remained gripping

Superb, but do watch Jean de Florette first! - Manon des Sources review by CP Customer

These are really two parts of the same story. Beautifully filmed, the two together have a timeless quality, something like Shakespeare or Greek tragedy. Tragedy yes, but hugely enjoyable and satisfying in its ultimate conclusion.

Another Year in Provence. - Manon des Sources review by Steve

After the tragedy of Jean de Florette (also 1986), part two is more like melodrama, with its revenge narrative and the heartbreaking but very literary dénouement. Both were filmed in a single production so there is no change in approach. We are back in the idyllic campagne of Provence with the sound of the solo harmonica and the cicadas...

Except it's ten years later. Jean's daughter has grown into a lowly- but lovely- goatherd who exacts poetic justice upon the landowners who destroyed her father, by blocking up the stream that serves their farms and the village. The locals are what is now called low information voters. It's dismaying to listen to their (familiar) ignorance and prejudice.

But the unknowable mystery of unintended consequences brings about an even more profound revenge. And the entire four hours ends in a complete emotional overload... Daniel Auteuil and Yves Montand return as the duplicitous villains who are deepened by ill-fortune. And '80s arthouse pinup Emmanuelle Béart makes a beautiful agent of retribution...

Which really makes the complex narrative function. Credit also to writer-director Claude Berri, who gets the elaborate final twist to unravel with exquisite precision. There may be tears! Then there is the understated but rather sweet love story. This period drama is still relevant to who we are now. And seems to have got better over the passing years.