Poster

Small Change ()

L'argent de poche (original title)
Reference View | Change View


The lives of a motherless boy, who is just starting to get interested in women, and his physically abused friend, who lives in poverty, are mixed with more or less innocent childhood experiences and challenges of a number of children.

Director:
Awards:
Reviews:

Photos and Videos

Complete, Cast awaiting verification

Edit
Nicole Félix ...
Grégory's mother (as Nicole Felix)
Chantal Mercier ...
Chantal Petit, the Schoolteacher
...
Jean-François Richet, the Schoolteacher (as Jean-François Stevenin)
Virginie Thévenet ...
Lydie Richet (as Virginie Thevenet)
Tania Torrens ...
Nadine Riffle, hairdresser
René Barnerias ...
Monsieur Desmouceaux, Patrick's father
Katy Carayon ...
Sylvie's Mother
Jean-Marie Carayon ...
Police inspector, Sylvie's father
Annie Chevaldonne ...
Nurse
Francis Devlaeminck ...
Monsieur Riffle, hairdresser, Laurent's father
Michel Dissart ...
Monsieur Lomay, constable
Michele Heyraud ...
Madame Deluca
Paul Heyraud ...
Monsieur Deluca
Jeanne Lobre ...
Julien's grandmother (as Jane Lobre)
Vincent Touly ...
Concierge
Claudio De Luca ...
Mathieu Deluca
Franck De Luca ...
Franck Deluca
Laurent Devlæminck ...
Laurent Riffle
...
Bruno Rouillard (as Bruno Staab)
Sylvie Grezel ...
Sylvie
Richard Golfier ...
Richard Golfier
Corinne Boucart ...
Corinne
Eva Truffaut ...
Patricia
Sebastien Marc ...
Oscar
Philippe Goldmann ...
Julien Leclou
Pascale Bruchon ...
Martine
Georges Desmouceaux ...
Patrick Desmouceaux (as Geory Desmouceaux)
Grégory ...
Little Grégory (as Le petit Gregory)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
...
Headmaster (uncredited)
Yvon Boutina ...
Oscar, adult (uncredited)
Monique Dury ...
Florist (uncredited)
Jean-Francis Gondre ...
Oscar's father (uncredited)
Hélène Jeanbrau ...
Doctor (uncredited)
Christian Lentretien ...
Monsieur Golfier, Richard's father (uncredited)
Jean-Marc Lentretien ...
Studient in classroom (uncredited)
Thi-Loan Nguyen ...
People from Thiers (uncredited)
Christine Pellé ...
Madame Leclou, Julien's mother (uncredited)
Roland Thénot ...
People from Thiers (uncredited)
...
Martine's Father (uncredited)
Laura Truffaut ...
Madeleine Doinel, Oscar's mother (uncredited)

Directed by

Edit
François Truffaut

Written by

Edit
François Truffaut ... (original scenario) and
Suzanne Schiffman ... (original scenario)

Produced by

Edit
François Truffaut ... producer (uncredited)

Cinematography by

Edit
Pierre-William Glenn

Editing by

Edit
Yann Dedet

Editorial Department

Edit
Martine Barraqué ... assistant editor
Jean Gargonne ... assistant editor
Stéphanie Granel ... assistant editor (as Stephanie Granel)
Muriel Zeleny ... assistant editor

Production Design by

Edit
Jean-Pierre Kohut-Svelko

Costume Design by

Edit
Monique Dury

Makeup Department

Edit
Thi-Loan Nguyen ... makeup artist (as Thi-Loan N'Guyen)

Production Management

Edit
Marcel Berbert ... production manager
Roland Thénot ... assistant production manager (as Roland Thenot)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

Edit
Alain Maline ... second assistant director
Suzanne Schiffman ... first assistant director

Art Department

Edit
Michel Grimaud ... property master
Paolo Rocco Innamorato ... first assistant art director (uncredited)

Sound Department

Edit
Michel Brethez ... sound assistant
Michel Laurent ... sound
Jacques Maumont ... sound mixer
Jean-Lionel Etcheverry ... restoration & mastering coordinator (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department

Edit
Florent Bazin ... assistant camera
Jean-Francis Gondre ... assistant camera
Hélène Jeanbrau ... still photographer
Jean-Claude Vicquery ... assistant camera

Music Department

Edit
Raoul Breton ... music publisher
Maurice Jaubert ... original score and music
Patrice Mestral ... conductor: orchestra
François Porcile ... musical consultant

Script and Continuity Department

Edit
Christine Pellé ... script supervisor
Laura Truffaut ... assistant script supervisor

Additional Crew

Edit
Jean-Noël Delamarre ... title designer (as Jean-Noel Delamarre)
Daniel Messère ... general manager (as Daniel Messere)
Crew verified as complete

Production Companies

Edit

Distributors

Edit

Special Effects

Edit

Other Companies

Edit

Storyline

Edit
Plot Summary

In the town of Thiers, summer of 1976, teachers and parents give their children skills, love, and attention. A teacher has his first child, a single mother hopes to meet Mr. Right, another mom reaches out to Patrick, a motherless lad who is just discovering the opposite sex. Patrick befriends Julien, a new student who lives in poverty with his mother and has a terrible secret. Bruno shows his friends how to chat up girls. Sylvie stages a witty protest against her parents. Brothers give a friend a haircut. A toddler falls from a window and is unhurt. Everybody goes to the cinema. At camp, Martine catches Patrick's eye. A teacher explains: "Life is hard, but it's wonderful." Written by

Plot Keywords
Genres
Parents Guide View content advisory »
Certification

Additional Details

Edit
Also Known As
  • Small Change (Canada, English title)
  • Small Change (World-wide, English title)
  • Pocket Money (World-wide, English title)
  • Small Change (United States)
  • Pocket Money (United Kingdom)
  • See more »
Runtime
  • 104 min
Country
Language
Color
Aspect Ratio
Sound Mix
Filming Locations

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross $449,797

Did You Know?

Edit
Trivia (Director Cameo) François Truffaut: Sitting in a cabriolet, wearing his standard blue shirt in the first minute of the film. See more »
Movie Connections Featured in The Top Ten Films of 1976 (1977). See more »
Soundtracks Les enfants s'ennuient le dimanche See more »
Quotes Jean-François Richet, the Schoolteacher: I know we are all thinking about Julien Leclou. It's in the press... and you've heard your parents talking at home. Before you go on vacation... let's talk about Julien. I don't know much more than you do... but I'll tell you how I feel. First, Julien will be taken care of by Welfare. He will be placed in a family. Wherever he goes, he'll be better off than in his own home... where, in his own words, "he was beaten." His mother shall lose her maternal right. For Julien, it may be quite a few years before he'll know the freedom to come and go as he pleases. Julien's case is so tragic that we cannot help comparing our lives with his. My own childhood was also quite painful. I couldn't wait to grow up. I felt adults had all the rights. They can lead their lives the way they want. An unhappy adult can start again from scratch. But an unhappy child is helpless. He may not know how to put it in words, but he feels that he cannot even contest his parents' right to hurt him. An unloved and battered child feels guilty. That's what's so tragic! Of all mankind's injustices... injustice to children is the most despicable! Life isn't always fair... but we can fight for justice. It's the only way! It's a slow process, but we do move forward. All people with power like to claim they're impervious to threats. But they do give in to pressure! A show of strength is the only way to get results. Adults understand that... and they obtain what they ask for by demonstrating. I want to show that when adults are determined they can improve their lot. But children's rights are totally ignored. Political parties are not concerned with kids like Julien or you. Do you know why? Because children don't vote! If kids had the right to vote they'd have better schools, sports facilities. You'd get them because politicians need your votes. You could come to school an hour later in winter instead of rushing out before daylight. I also want to say, because of my own childhood... I feel kids rate a better deal. That's why I became a schoolteacher. Life isn't easy. You must steel yourselves to face it. I don't mean "hard-boiled." I'm talking about stamina! Some of us who've had a difficult childhood are better equipped for adult life than those who were overprotected with love. It's the law of compensation. Life may be hard, but it's also wonderful. When we're confined to sickbed we can't wait to get out and enjoy life. We sometimes forget how much we really love it. You're about to go on vacation. You will discover new places and make new friends. In September, you'll move up a grade. We'll enroll both boys and girls. Time flies. Before long, you'll have kids of your own. If you love them, they'll love you. If they don't feel you love them they'll transfer their love and tenderness to other people or other things. That's life! Each of us needs to be loved! Well, boys, school is over. Have a happy vacation!
See more »

Contribute to This Page


Recently Viewed