Product: Manon of the Spring (1987)
Rating: 5.0
Unexpected Surprises in Provence ...
Manon, the daughter of Jean de Florette returns to Provence and lives in a small cottage on the property of her father. In the previous film, her father had died trying to make the farm work but discovered without a source of water, it was impossible. The farmhouse and certain lands were sold at decreased value to the neighbor Cesar Soubeyran. He finds a mysterious supply source for water which had eluded her father.Soubeyran's nephew, Ugolin Gallette secretly falls in love with Manon as she wanders the hillsides Provence tending her flock of goats. Manon however pays little attention to him while she keeps a keen distant eye on a newcomer, the teacher in the town who walks among the hills, examines the soil and takes a high interest in local developments. A mysterious chemistry develops between them. Meanwhile Ugolin becomes uncharacteristically ill and after being prodded he confesses to being in love. Cesar gives him advice on how to impress his heart's desire but Ugolin botches the attempts.After Manon tries to save a goat which falls from the hillside to the rocks below, she discovers a cave and cavern, which are the original source of the spring. She develops suspicions about the cause of her father's death. She deliberately stops up the water supply which eventually affects the whole town. At a townhall meeting set up specifically to meet the farmers' need for water, a government official manages to add further insult to injury. The official produces survey records which indicate there is no spring on the land. Meanwhile, the local priest was apprised of the true cause of Jean de Florette's death. In his sermon the priest admonishes the community that G-d may be punishing them for their sins. Accusations fly of who and what caused the spring to dry up. Religious devotees partake in a ceremony after which the water supply is restored. In effect, a miracle has occurred! Cesar Soubeyran suffers a sad, unexpected devastating blow associated with his nephew. During a visit to the cemetery, Cesar reminisces about his past with a blind woman sitting next to him on a bench. She supplies him with crucial details which become the final nail in his emotional coffin. The details become an unanticiapted revenge, one from beyond the grave. This film is deeply satisfying in its portrayal of local culture, greed, outstanding characters and the ultimate surprise ending. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]