The Well Digger's Daughter (2012)
Average Rating: 7.4/10
Reviews Counted: 40
Fresh: 36 | Rotten: 4
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 7.1/10
Critic Reviews: 23
Fresh: 21 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 3,269
My Rating
Movie Info
Twenty-five years after rising to international acclaim in Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring, Daniel Auteuil returns to the world of Marcel Pagnol for his first work as director with this celebrated remake of the 1940s classic. Auteuil stars as the eponymous well-digger Pascale, a widower living with his six daughters in the Provence countryside at the start of World War I. His eldest, Patricia (the luminous Astrid Bergès-Frisbey), has returned home from Paris to help raise her sisters,
Cast
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Daniel Auteuil
Pascal Amoretti, The We... -
Kad Merad
Felipe, Felipe Rambert -
Sabine Azéma
Mme. Mazel, Mrs. Mazel -
Jean-Pierre Darroussin
M. Mazel, Mazel -
Nicolas Duvauchelle
Jacques, Jacques Mazel -
Astrid Bergés-Frisbey
Patricia, Patricia Amor... -
Emilie Cazenave
Amanda -
Marie-Anne Chazel
Nathalie -
Coline Bosso
Isabelle -
Chloe Malarde
Marie -
Brune Coustellier
Leonora -
Ilona Porte
Roberte -
Jean-Louis Barcelona
Clerk -
Patrick Bosso
Waiter -
François-Eric Gendron
Captain
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All Critics (40) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (4) | DVD (1)
"The Well-Digger's Daughter" isn't a mind-blower; it's not supposed to be. It's a light lunch with an old friend whom it's good to see again.
Top CriticAuteuil's direction is a lot like his acting -- well-mannered and likable, yet staid and ultimately inconsequential.
To call "The Well Digger's Daughter" an old-fashioned film is to pay it a compliment. Here is a love story embedded in traditional values.
It's classical moviemaking of a sort rarely seen now, a love story of surprising joy with rounded, flawed but humane characters.
What resonates is a sense of humanity that sometimes gets lost in films with less regard for traditional storytelling, or respect for simple emotion.
Astrid Bergès-Frisbey as Patricia and Jean-Pierre Darroussin are almost enchanting, but it is Auteuil, entering a new career as mature actor-director, whom we want to cheer.
Remake lacks the power of context
The countryside of high Provence is a major character all its own.
"The Well-Digger's Daughter" is perhaps a bit too sentimental. But the performances are so heartfelt that its occasional excesses are easily forgiven.
Think of it as a pretty good, French-language bucolic entry in PBS' "Masterpiece" franchise and you'll be fine.
Strong pedigree pushes 'Well Digger's Daughter' to the top.
The jewel at the heart of the piece is Berges-Frisbey -- the ravishing mermaid Syrena in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."
Despite a verbose script and the kneejerk sexism of Pascal, the visual beauty and narrative simplicity make the film a pleasure.
I mean, if egocentric, short-sighted, emotionally crippling fathers aren't going to fight for their daughters' hymens WHO WILL!?
Audience Reviews for The Well Digger's Daughter
Super Reviewer
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- Felipe Rambert: Maybe I don't have honor, but I have love. One can replace the other.
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- Pascal Amoretti: I see now that it's wise to be weary of people who sell tools but never use them.
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- Pascal Amoretti: She's a princess, see?
- Pascal Amoretti: Can you see yourself wed to a princess?
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- Pascal Amoretti: She isn't a daughter, she's a treasure from the Good Lord.
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Latest News on The Well Digger's Daughter
July 19, 2012:
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Foreign Titles
- La fille du puisatier (DE)
- The Well Digger's Daughter (La Fille du puisatier) (UK)
Daniel Auteuil's directorial debut is a delightful, life-affirming film with an understated complexity. The film encounters class issues deftly, as the main conflict involves two nouveau riche men assuming that they should feel a put-upon shame greater than they feel a real love. Sweeping shots of beautiful countryside and finely crafted scenes (though too talky at times) worthy of the stage abound, and Auteuil proves himself to be a very good director. Auteuil and Astrid Berges-Frisbey deliver compelling performances as father and daughter.
Overall, this is a nice film to see with nice people to spend time with -- a fine end to a tough week.