My Mother's Castle (1990)

Thanks for the memories!

A lot of fun.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Yves Robert offers a second delightful story of Marcel Pagnol's innocent youth of the early 1900s in the sunny, rocky landscape of Aubagne in Provence.After "My Father's Glory," an equally charming tale of the halcyon days of the author's childhood, "My Mother's Castle" concludes the tale with the author's entrance into adolescence and his triumphant return to Marseilles as a successful adult.Not wishing to wait through the long term at school, Marcel's mother declares her affinity for the countryside of Provence, and the family begins making weekend visits, much to the delight of young Marcel.Pagnol revisits his beautiful hills in Aubagne, just outside Marseilles, rekindling his friendship with the local boy, Lili, and meeting what he considers to be the young woman of his dreams, only to reaffirm that youth is best spent frolicking with his chum. Marcel's charming and loving mother, his wise and benevolent father, his impish brother, and his gregarious "Oncle Jules" return in their wonderful roles.The film is reminiscent of the masterpiece of "Cinema Paradiso," where a tale is told through the eyes of a film producer who fell in love with life while watching films in his small Italian village."My Mother's Castle," coupled with "My Father's Glory," make for four hours of triumphant, genuine cinema. Don't miss them.

Both of these films are excellent autobiographical recollections of the author's youth. I enjoyed them both very much as the subject matter is delivered with aplomb and the photography is stunning. They really take you back to this era, romantic in approach but doesn't neglect the real hardships experienced in that period. The way all emotions are played out is masterful.He also wrote Jean de Flotette and Manon des Sources. If you haven't seen them but enjoyed Le Château de ma mère and La Gloire de mon père then I recommend you do as they are both in a similar vein and are even more stunning.

"O for one of those hours of gladness. Gone alas with our youth too soon"*My Mother's Castle picks up where My Father's Glory left off, tracing young Marcel's life over the next year as his enchanting remembrances of things past comes full circle. If you were nostalgic for the south of France after seeing My Father's Glory, you do not have to wait long to once again smell the sprigs of wild thyme. After resuming their life again in Marseilles, the family: Joseph (Philippe Caubere), Augustine (Nathalie Roussel), Marcel (Julien Ciamaca), brother Paul (Victorien Delamare) and baby sister decide to return to Provence for Christmas and then again at Easter. Marcel is reunited with his friend Lili but soon discovers the charms of women in the person of Isabelle (Julie Timmerman), a somewhat snooty young lady who takes on the affectation of nobility to impress (and dominate) Marcel. Their relationship shows promise but comes to an abrupt end early in the film when Isabelle's family suddenly leaves. Soon Augustine has the idea of returning to their country home each weekend. This, however, presents a small problem. Aside from the fact that Joseph, with the aid of Augustine's charms, must rearrange his teaching schedule, the family must walk five miles from the trolley station to their country home using up much of their weekend time.This problem is solved when Joseph meets Bouzique (Philippe Uchan), one of his former pupils. Bouzique is a canal guard who shows them how to cut eight hours from their weekly walk by illegally cutting over other people's property that runs along the canal. At first Joseph is reluctant but finally agrees. This takes on an air of great adventure and humor as Bouzique gives a key to Joseph who must unlock the doors on each estate that stand in his way. The walk becomes the focus of the film, as everyone in the group must carefully avoid drawing attention to themselves. One house in particular, owned by a grouchy caretaker and a surly dog named Masher, causes Augustine to be quite fearful. Like My Father's Glory, My Mother's Castle consists of charming vignettes that evoke a simpler time. The film works its way into our heart because the characters care about each other and we care about them. Like all idealized reflections of the past, however, it ultimately gives way to bittersweet reality, reminding us very gently how soon youth passes, but as poet Shelley put it, "Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought".*From Kerry Dances by James Lynam Molloy

"My Father's Glory," and its sequel "My Mother's Castle," tell the story of a young boy's "wonder years" growing up in a family with an adored father, a lovely but frail mother, and assorted eccentric relatives and friends. These are incredibly charming films that feature none of the violent action and highly charged emotions that we've come to expect in popular films today. Instead, they celebrate the simple joys of life in a warm and loving family. When minor but unexpected events occasionally disrupt the day-to-day flow of events, they can seem like terrible disasters. On the other hand, a simple visit to the country can seem like a tremendous adventure. It's not necessary to have seen "My Father's Glory" to enjoy "My Mother's Castle." In fact, I happened to see them out of order and I loved them just the same. But if I had my preference, I'd watch them in order. The final scene of "My Mother's Castle" is emotionally powerful and satisfying; for me it confirmed that every minute I'd invested in these films was worthwhile. I wanted to get up there on the screen and help. In French with English subtitles.