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The Well Digger's Daughter (2011)
"La fille du puisatier" (original title)

 -  Drama | Romance  -  20 April 2011 (France)
6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 1,306 users   Metascore: 67/100
Reviews: 13 user | 55 critic | 17 from Metacritic.com

In pre-World War France, a father is torn between his sense of honor and his deep love for his saintly daughter when she gets in trouble with the wealthy son of a shopkeeper.

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Emilie Cazenave ...
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Coline Bosso ...
Chloé Malarde ...
Brune Coustellier ...
Ilona Porte ...
Jean-Louis Barcelona ...
Patrick Bosso ...
Le garçon
François-Eric Gendron ...
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Storyline

In pre-World War France, a father is torn between his sense of honor and his deep love for his saintly daughter when she gets in trouble with the wealthy son of a shopkeeper.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

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Release Date:

20 April 2011 (France)  »

Also Known As:

The Well Digger's Daughter  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$10,273 (USA) (20 July 2012)

Gross:

$385,406 (USA) (15 March 2013)
 »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

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Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Goofs

When Pascal visits her sister Nathalie to check on Patricia, Nathalie is heard humming Nina Rota's Romeo and Juliet theme, which wasn't written until 1968. See more »

Connections

Remake of The Well-Digger's Daughter (1940) See more »

Soundtracks

"La Marseillaise"
Les Grandes Marches de la République
Orchestre d'Harmonie des Gardiens de la Paix de la Préfecture de Paris
Avec l'autorisation de Cprella-Le Label des Vents
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Timeless moving story served by great actors and a good direction
25 April 2011 | by (France) – See all my reviews

The Well-Digger's Daughter is a french movie, remake of another famous french film of the 40's.

If you don't know anything about french cinema, know that this remake features well known comedians such as Daniel Auteuil (it's also his first work as a director), Kad Merad, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Sabine Azema, and Marie-Anne Chazel.

The original film was directed, written and produced by Marcel Pagnol, famous not only for his films but also for plays and novels that have become classics.

The story? (spoiler-free, as always) It's the beginning of the WWII. South of France. Patricia, 18, is the oldest daughter of a well-digger, Pascal, who considers her a princess because of her moral qualities. She's kind, devoted. One day, she briefly meets a young man, Jacques, the son of Mazel, owner of the shop where her father buy his material. He's handsome and teasing. Her father's friend, Felipe, would love to marry her, and he invites her to an aviation show. She accepts his invitation only because she knows Jacques is a pilot and will be there. Soon, she'll carry his child, and he'll be gone, and the family will have to deal with this out-of-wedlock pregnancy...

The remake definitely honors the classic, and I can't find one single thing to criticize. The actors all deliver moving and natural compositions, from the loving and torn father (Auteuil) to the moody Mrs Mazel (Azema), from the benevolent Felipe (Merad) to the seductive Jacques (Duvauchelle). By the way, it certainly isn't hard to see why the heroine falls for him after just one encounter ;) The main character, Patricia, is played with tact and sweetness by Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, who somehow reminds me of Jane March. She was unknown before this role (even if it's not her first), but no doubt this is the year of her breakthrough, as she will soon be seen interpreting a mermaid in the next Pirates of the Caribbean.

The direction is precise, careful, and manages to capture each small emotion of the characters. It really serves well the beautiful and moving plot. You're completely immersed into the story and can have your eyes wet more than once, even though the movie isn't a melodrama nor a tragedy. This story is timeless, and universal. I would recommend it to absolutely everyone. It's a 5-star film!


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