by Guido Garayblas
The Grocer’s Son
(Le fils de l’épicier)
Directed by: Eric Guirado
Written by: Eric Guirado and Gilles Sacuto
Cast:
Nicolas Cazalé
Clotilde Hesme
Daniel Duval
Jeanne Goupil
Stephan Guerin Tillie
When I was asked by a colleague of mine if I would be interested in reviewing a French film, I immediately said, absolutely! Why not, I have always been fascinated with the French, from the food, to the country (though I have never been there, but one day I will), to the artists and most importantly the movies. That’s why I was very much excited in seeing the film “The Grocer’s Son” (Le fils de l’épicier). I did not really know what to expect. I read the synopsis and pretty much got the idea of what the film is all about, but not quite. I guess it’s not the same as watching the film itself.
The film is about Antoine (Nicolas Cazalé), a thirty year old guy who leaves his family and the town of Provence 10 years ago. All of sudden Antoine is at a crossroads when he finds out that his father is in the hospital and is very ill. Antoine’s parents have a mom-and-pop shop. His mother runs the store, which happens to be at their house, while his father drives the van full of groceries selling them to the residents nearby. Now that his father is sick, Antoine is asked by his mother if he can fill in and do his father’s job. Antoine is reluctant at first, he does not really want anything to do with his family, but as you would say it, everything fell into place, not quite in the beginning but it did, eventually.
What makes the film very interesting and worth watching is the way the characters develop throughout the movie from beginning to end. It’s funny because Antoine is at opposing ends with his father, one of the reasons he moved out 10 years ago. Yet when you see the movie, you’ll see a similarity between Antoine and his father (Daniel Duval). I guess its true when they say like poles repel and opposites attract. Antoine’s character starts off in the film as being a recluse man, does not have a lot of friends and most often than not, does not have a permanent job. Someone who doesn’t see the beauty in life. Someone who is sad, lonely and bitter. Yet when he moves back to be with his family, all of this changes. It’s as if his return has a deeper reason than just helping out his family temporarily but putting a closure to something that was unsettled, discovering the beauty of life and what it has to offer. The movie was able to convey to its audience the dynamics (or lack of it) of a family. From his brother Francoise (Stéphan Guérin-Tillié) whom the parents adored and thought of as being the successful one, yet in reality, deep inside he is living a lie. To a mother who is torn between the love she has for her children and the love she has for her husband. Lastly, one of the most important characters in the film is the character of Claire. Her role in the film is very crucial to the story mainly because of the role that she plays in Antoine’s life. She was basically the catalyst that broke Antoine out of his shell for him to realize that, indeed, life is good.
The Grocer’s Son opens on September 5, 2008 at the Embarcadero Center Cinema in San Francisco, CA, Shattuck Cinemas in Berkeley, CA and Lark Theater in Larkspur, CA.
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