I have just read the other reviews and must say I loved this film enormously because it is so beautiful and authentic to the period, and not in the mindset of those hideous films the American's churn out like popcorn, with Hansel and Gretel with machine guns or whatever. I didn't find the pace slow at all, watching the lead character grow up was sad and gut-wrenching, a beautiful performance by the child actor. This film is filled with subtle tender moments, and also moments of horror early on, when the boy loses his beloved pet dog. The arrogance and non feeling for others less fortunate by the aristocrats set the tone for the film. The sets and country scenes are superb, and once Gaspard Ulliel appears as the boy grown up, you really are aware of a great performance, by one of France's hottest young actors. (soon to be seen as Yves Saint Laurent in the biography picture of that name). I actually wanted more, and wondered what happened to the characters after the film had finished. Its hard to explain how I feel after seeing a good French film. But if you have visited Paris and truly felt its magic, then you are halfway there. This film sweeps you away to another time and place, makes you feel empathy for the characters, makes you shed a few tears, and long for the hero to win. In the end, when Gaspard remembers his childhood dog running through the grass... in his mind, that really got to me.... as all the best classics do. Robert. Australia.
