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Jean de Florette

Play trailer Poster for Jean de Florette PG Released Jun 26, 1986 2h 2m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 28 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In this acclaimed French drama, the enterprising Ugolin Soubeyran (Daniel Auteuil) returns to his native countryside after the serving in the military. Intent on growing expensive flowers, he conspires with his uncle, Cesar (Yves Montand), to gain access to a hidden spring on a neighboring property. When their initial attempt to buy the land fails, they must contend with Jean de Florette (Gérard Depardieu), who arrives with his family to work the coveted plot and turn it into a profitable farm.
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Jean de Florette

Critics Reviews

View All (28)
David Mermelstein Wall Street Journal What can be discussed freely are the extraordinary performances that Berri coaxed from a cast that could not be bettered. Apr 25, 2025 Full Review Jake Cole Slant Magazine The edenic landscapes provide an ironic contrast for the heavy use of Biblical imagery and the xenophobic and greedy villagers’ religious superstitions that highlight their sanctimony. Apr 11, 2025 Full Review Pauline Kael The New Yorker Jean de Florette doesn’t have the motor of a work conceived as a film. It’s a copy, with no life of its own. Sep 13, 2023 Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk Far from a whimsical and charming provincial melodrama, it is rather a merciless depiction of the fundamental cruelty of human greed and the immense devastation—emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual—it leaves in its wake. Rated: 3.5/4 May 24, 2025 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid A classical, simple film, full of sunshine and flowers and actors in nifty hats. Rated: 4/4 May 23, 2025 Full Review Frank J. Avella The Contending These epic films examine how greed, arrogance, power, dumb luck and ineptitude ultimately shatter the lives of the work’s major players. Rated: A Apr 28, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (781)
Jennifer F A delight. As well produced from the book as can be possible. The unravelling of a lost love, the crazy swindlers and the beautiful optimism in starting a dream life that goes to tragically wrong. It's all there. The music, the birdsong and the exquisite setting are the perfect stage for this wonderful film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/04/25 Full Review Liam D The first part of a two part story. This is a French classic that has a great cast, fantastic story and beautiful production design and costumes Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/03/25 Full Review Matthew L If you wonder whether a movie critic is worth their salt, see how they rated Jean de Florette - a true masterpiece that unfolds like the best Thomas Hardy tragedy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/25 Full Review Debi M Loved this movie and have watched it many times. It is a beautiful, tragic, love story hitting many different cylinders. This movie reveals human nature at its worse, yet the ending hints at payback retribution, possibly yet to come. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review The D Such a simple and powerful story. So well directed, acted and shot that it's become a French classic. Probably the most successful French movie ever made, and deservedly so! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/02/24 Full Review Aender S A compelling story in beautiful scenery delivered with great acting, especially Daniel Auteuil's. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Jean de Florette

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Movie Info

Synopsis In this acclaimed French drama, the enterprising Ugolin Soubeyran (Daniel Auteuil) returns to his native countryside after the serving in the military. Intent on growing expensive flowers, he conspires with his uncle, Cesar (Yves Montand), to gain access to a hidden spring on a neighboring property. When their initial attempt to buy the land fails, they must contend with Jean de Florette (Gérard Depardieu), who arrives with his family to work the coveted plot and turn it into a profitable farm.
Director
Claude Berri
Producer
Alain Poiré
Distributor
Orion Pictures
Production Co
Films A2, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, DD Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 26, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 23, 2017
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Surround
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