Product: Manon of the Spring (1987)
Rating: 5.0
Revenge and Other 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 without a source of water, it was impossible. The farmhouse and certain lands were sold at decreased value because of the lack of water. The neighbor Cesar Soubeyran bought the farm and unblocked the spring ...Soubeyran's nephew, Ugolin Gallette, who was part of the conspiracy to drive Jean de Florette from the land falls in love with Manon as he watchers her tend her flock of goats and while she wanders the hillsides of Provence, setting traps for birds that she sells in the market. Manon keeps a distant eye on a newcomer, the teacher in the town who walks among the hills, examines the soil and takes a general interest in his new home. The teacher loses his knife which Manon finds ... they meet and she returns the knife which he insists she keep with all its fancy gadgets. A mysterious chemistry develops between them ... Meanwhile Ugolin behaves uncharacteristically claiming to be ill. His Uncle prods and eventually discovers he is in love. Ugolin finally admits with whom. Cesar gives him advice, dress like a hunter, impress Manon, talk to her nicely ... Ugolin botches it up as he stammers out his declaration of love.When a small goat drops from the hillside among the rocks below ... Manon strives to save it. She discovers a cave and cavern which is the source of the water supply for the spring. She works hard to block it up which eventually dries up the water source not only for Ugolin and his precious carnations (cash crop) but for the whole town. It causes an uproar to the point of a government official visiting who promises a large supply of bottled water to solve the needs of the people. It upsets some farmers who want more done stating the spring supply needs to be restored so they can continue to farm and save their crops. The official checks the records and proves there is no spring on the survey maps ... Meanwhile, someone may have confessed to the local priest about the unusual circumstances regarding the death of Jean de Florette associated with the blocked up spring in the past. In his sermon the priest admonishes the community that G-d may be punishing them for their sins ... One farmer accuses Cesar Soubeyran of having caused the problems claiming he saw them block up the spring and heard the discussion with his nephew. Cesar denies it and adamantly claims Jean died of an accident ... After the community prays and the devote partake in a religious ceremony, Manon unblocks the spring with the help of the school teacher. In effect, they brought about the miracle which the religious people had prayed for ... Cesar Soubeyran suffers a sad but not unexpected devasting event involving his nephew. During a visit to the cemetery, a local blind woman sits next to him on a bench and reminicses about the past, particularly his youth when he fell in love with Florette, who left the village and married a blacksmith in another town. Cesar receives information which brings the final and eternal blow to his life ... It is a phenomenal surprise ending which finalizes the unanticiapted revenge, one from beyond the grave. This is a superb film with much depth, mystery, and unexpected twists, a totally satisfying and excellent viewing experience. Erika Borsos [pepper flower]