Based on a Marcel Pagnol novel, JEAN DE FLORETTE was directed by Claude Berri in 1986. Daniel Auteuil won the 1987 French Academy award in the Best Actor category for his performance.
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In a rural village of Southern France, Ugolin (Auteuil) is convinced to make a fortune by growing carnations on his land. But these flowers need a lot of water and Ugolin must first buy the neighboring domain and its source which have just been inherited by Jean de Florette (Depardieu), a former bookkeeper who's just arrived from the city. Jean is a happy man who gave up his routine life in the city in order to fulfill his dream : to be a farmer.
Cesar Soubeyran (Montand), Ugolin's only relative, admonishes him to secretly block up Jean de Florette's spring, hoping that Jean will soon be disheartened and will sell him his domain. During the next months, fortune seems to be on Jean de Florette's side : it rains frequently, the vegetables he grows are the most beautiful of the vicinity and his rabbit's breeding is a success. But there is soon a long period of drought and Jean must walk miles every day in order to bring back water to the farm. While he wears himself out more and more, Ugolin and Cesar are waiting for the right moment to advise him to sell his land.
The review of this Movie prepared by Daniel Staebler
