Nowadays they all seem to have people discovering that life is better in more rural settings.
> The Grocer's Son
Director: Eric Guirado
Cast: Nicolas Cazale, Clotilde Hesme, Jeanne Goupil, Stephan Guerin-Tillie, Daniel Duval, Paul Crauchet, Liliane Rovere
Rating: (M)
Four stars
Review by Christine Powley
The Grocer's Son (Rialto) is about surly waiter Antoine (Nicolas Cazale) who escaped rural France and his father's grocery shop 10 years ago.
He is determined never to go back but his father's illness forces him to return and help his mum.
The largest part of the business is a van that travels to areas too remote to have their own shop. The service is mostly used by old folk. Antoine hates it.
He has no patience for old dears who just want to buy three tomatoes and have a chat. The old folks are just as unimpressed with him. He has strange modern notions about not giving credit.
Following the unwilling grocer around verges on boring. There is only so much perverse pleasure to be had in noting how often the culinary sophisticated French slum it and buy tinned peas.
Luckily Antoine has brought along a friend, Claire (Clotilde Hesme) who needs quiet to study for exams. Antoine likes Claire but in the city he did nothing about it.
Back in the country he starts to change, becoming more open to his customers, his family and Claire.
The Grocer's Son is slow but rewarding. You take the same journey that Antoine does, from annoyance to pleasure.
Best thing: Director Eric Guirado comes from documentary-making with a keen eye for truth, so for once the working life looks real.
Worst thing: He has an annoying habit of shooting the back of people's heads for extended periods.
See it with: Someone with patience, as this film only rewards when you have seen the entirety.
