Gérard Jugnot has really grown into a first-rate actor

Rating: 9/10 (4 April 2004)

After wonderful movies and documentaries such as Himalaya, Microcosmos, and Winged Migration, Jacques Perrin scores again with a movie that will be appealing to a wide audience. I saw it in France, but I think that it will be pleasing to the U.S. public too. As Neal commented earlier, the storyline is reminiscent of Mr Holland's Opus, but I think it is closer in sensibility to another movie where Gérard Jugnot held the starring role, Monsieur Batignole. Indeed, Jugnot, who played supporting roles earlier in his career, mainly in slapstick comedies, has now joined the ranks of actors, the likes of Lino Ventura, Jean Gabin, Jean-Louis Trintignant, etc.