Rating: 
Summary: Superb Sequel to "Jean de Florette"
Review: The gorgeous Emmanuelle Béart plays Manon of the Spring in this sequel to "Jean de Florette." She is Jean's daughter who comes to realize who destroyed her father by concealing the spring of water in their property. Their neighbor played by Yves Montand took the land for himself after destroying her father with the cooperation of the man who is now in love with her. Manon thus finds herself being able to avenge the wrong that these men did to her family. This is as universal a theme and plot, featuring deceit, greed, and revenge and the costs they entail, as could possibly be embraced and it is brought as flawlessly and seamlessly to the screen as its predecessor. Even if the movie weren't worth watching, and it is, Beart herself is a feast for the eyes. Both films showcase French filmmaking at its best.
Rating:
Summary: A mind-boggling plot!
Review: This continuation of Jean de Florette is an amazing film, even better than it's prequel. Director Yves Montand does an excellent job of completing the story; the irony of the plot leaves your mouth hanging open. Absolutely nothing could be improved: excellent acting, emotion and screenplay. The struggle of life continues when the two main characters finally acquire their neighbor's property - then the younger man falls in love with a mountain girl. Who is she, this wild young beauty? None other than the daughter of the neighbor the two had driven out. And that's not all. More surprises await.
*This movie is not just for those who speak/study French. It is a tale anyone can enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Not As Good As Its Prequel
Review: This film is the continuation of Jean De Florette and deals with the grown daughter's(Emmanuelle Beart) revenge on the unsuspecting farmers who deceived her father. This continuation develops the original plot further. The deceitful farmers played by Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil soon realize that they've deceived themselves as much as the innocent Jean de Florette. The theme is a complex study of human nature and is somewhat akin to Caine's dilemma, 'Am I not my brother's keeper?'
The cinematography and script are excellent but I was rather disappointed in Emmanuelle Beart's performance. She's the weakest actor in this film and, because she's unfortunately also the central character, her inept skills have a significant impact on the film altogether. Her acting is forced and the emotions she attempts to express don't leave a very strong impression. Other than that, the story is great with an impeccable supporting cast.
Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: This film is the sequel to Jean de Florette. "Sequel" is a poor description of the film though because this film is more of a continuation and conclusion (think Lord of the Rings series) to the story. The story is beautifully filmed and compellingly told. It contains a tragic sense with a strong almost Dantesque sense of justice. (In the Inferno, those who suffer, suffer in accordance with the "sins" that brought them to hell. For instance, Count Ugolino's story of his starvation and the starvation of his children at the hands of Ruggieri. Ugolino gnaws perpetually on the nape of Ruggieri's neck: Ruggieri starved Ugolino and his sons so he is eaten by Ugolino eternally.)The author, Marcel Pognol, grew up in Provence where the story is set and has essentially created a classic greek tragedy in Catholic Provence. It is a beautiful, haunting story. You will watch it numerous time. One of the best films ever made. The two part series may be better than Babette's Feast.
Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: This film is the sequel to Jean de Florette. "Sequel" is a poor description of the film though because this film is more of a continuation and conclusion (think Lord of the Rings series) to the story. The story is beautifully filmed and compellingly told. It contains a tragic sense with a strong almost Dantesque sense of justice. (In the Inferno, those who suffer, suffer in accordance with the "sins" that brought them to hell. For instance, Count Ugolino's story of his starvation and the starvation of his children at the hands of Ruggieri. Ugolino gnaws perpetually on the nape of Ruggieri's neck: Ruggieri starved Ugolino and his sons so he is eaten by Ugolino eternally.) The author, Marcel Pognol, grew up in Provence where the story is set and has essentially created a classic greek tragedy in Catholic Provence. It is a beautiful, haunting story. You will watch it numerous time. One of the best films ever made. The two part series may be better than Babette's Feast.
Rating:
Summary: A classic
Review: This film is the sequel to Jean de Florette. "Sequel" is a poor description of the film though because this film is more of a continuation and conclusion (think Lord of the Rings series) to the story. The story is beautifully filmed and compellingly told. It contains a tragic sense with a strong almost Dantesque sense of justice. (In the Inferno, those who suffer, suffer in accordance with the "sins" that brought them to hell. For instance, Count Ugolino's story of his starvation and the starvation of his children at the hands of Ruggieri. Ugolino gnaws perpetually on the nape of Ruggieri's neck: Ruggieri starved Ugolino and his sons so he is eaten by Ugolino eternally.) The author, Marcel Pognol, grew up in Provence where the story is set and has essentially created a classic greek tragedy in Catholic Provence. It is a beautiful, haunting story. You will watch it numerous time. One of the best films ever made. The two part series may be better than Babette's Feast.
Rating:
Summary: What Goes Around.....Comes Around...in Spades!
Review: This gorgeous film is the concluding story of Jean de Florette. That the two films aren't boxed together is ridiculous, because although they stand alone, taken together they become an unforgettable film experience and a devastating masterpiece. In this film, the little daughter of Jean de Florette, who knows what was done to her father and by whom, has grown to become a stunningly beautiful young woman (Emmanuelle Beart). She is a free spirit, a shephardess, and so achingly gorgeous that one of the participants in her father's tragic downfall (Daniel Auteuil) can't help but fall hopelessly in love with her (no mystery there!). That his love is hopeless and will ruin him is just the begining of the reverberations from the sins commited in the first film that will befall the sinners in this concluding second film. The other is what happens to the character played by Yves Montand. I will not spoil it for you, but what comes back on this cruelly calculating old man is something to behold. Montand capped a wonderful career with his brilliant and nuanced portrayal of this man. The role, which spans both films, is a beautifully deep performance, and you will be surprised by your different emotions about this character. It is a full-range performance, and shouldn't be missed by anyone who loves great acting. Although each film is complete unto itself, it is together that the full artistry and power of the story is experienced. So if you get one, by all means get the other. Directed with care and photographed beautifully in the countryside of Provence, this is a visual and emotional treat. A terrific story of human passions, each is a 4 star film, together they are a 5 star masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: Simply a great film
Review: This is just as good or even better that it predecessor, Jean de Florette (1986). It is amazing how well thought out the story is. Like a Greek tragedy, everything falls into place, everything is accounted for as fate conspires with character to bring about retribution for those who did wrong. We feel sad and sorry for Papet and Ugolin, whose weaknesses and "crimes" are so like our own.
Daniel Auteuil, who plays Ugolin, is a actor with great range and sensitivity. He is unforgettable here as a not-too-bright peasant who suffers an excruciating and hopeless case of unrequited love. And Yves Montand, who plays his uncle is flawless, like an Olivier, as he experiences a very cruel turn of fate. Emmanuelle Béart, who plays Manon, is very beautiful, but she is also strange enough to be believable in an unlikely role as a solitary shepherdess of the hills of Provence.
Claude Berri's direction is so perfectly paced, so full of attention to detail and so unobtrusive and natural that the film just seems to happen without effort. Nothing fancy, just show what needs to be seen, no more. Use no more words than necessary, but all that are necessary. It's almost like magic, how easy it looks. The scene near the end when the blind woman reveals the cruel turn of fate to Papet is exquisite in its simplicity and its effectiveness.
In a sense this movie is a throw back an earlier era in cinema when careful attention to the construction of a character-driven story was the essence of the art.
Rating:
Summary: A great film
Review: This is just as good or even better that it predecessor, Jean de Florette (1986). It is amazing how well thought out the story is. Like a Greek tragedy, everything falls into place, everything is accounted for as fate conspires with character to bring about retribution for those who did wrong. We feel sad and sorry for Papet and Ugolin, whose weaknesses and "crimes" are so like our own. Daniel Auteuil, who plays Ugolin, is a actor with great range and sensitivity. He is unforgettable here as a not-too-bright peasant who suffers an excruciating and hopeless case of unrequited love. And Yves Montand, who plays his uncle is flawless, like an Olivier, as he experiences a very cruel turn of fate. Emmanuelle Béart, who plays Manon, is very beautiful, but she is also strange enough to be believable in an unlikely role as a solitary shepherdess of the hills of Provence. Claude Berri's direction is so perfectly paced, so full of attention to detail and so unobtrusive and natural that the film just seems to happen without effort. Nothing fancy, just show what needs to be seen, no more. Use no more words than necessary, but all that are necessary. It's almost like magic, how easy it looks. The scene near the end when the blind woman reveals the cruel turn of fate to Papet is exquisite in its simplicity and its effectiveness. In a sense this movie is a throw back an earlier era in cinema when careful attention to the construction of a character-driven story was the essence of the art.
Rating:
Summary: Mlle. Beart, you are distracting me...
Review: This is not a sequel to "Jean de Florette", but the concluding part of the same story, "Water of the Hills" by the French master story-teller, Marcel Pagnol. Basically, it is an epic played out in that typically French way of drama-making: close relationship between the antagonists and the force beyond their control driving the story to its inevitable end. A sort of modern take on Greek tragedy. The film also features Verdi's "Force of Destiny" as its theme tune. As with "Cyrano de Bergerac" by Rappeneau, the director here had a great story and great cast (Yves Montand shining through). One uncharitably wonders what little he had to do in terms of creativity in such an ideal situation for any director to be in. All in all, this is a great piece of French film making. Highly recommended to anybody who loves good film, but especially for those whose idea of France does not go beyond Paris city boundary or "Freedom Fries". You will have some idea about the French farmers by the end of this film. By way of postscript, I believe this was Beart's film debut and she is unbelievably beautiful in this, which somewhat disturbs the film as a whole. If I am not mistaken, she married Auteil, who plays poor Ugolin in the film, in real life (now divorced). They have a twisted sense of humour over there in France...
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