Jean de Florette

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Jean de Florette

PG

Released Jun 26, 1986

2h 2m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Claude Berri

Director

Yves Montand

Cesar Soubeyran

Gérard Depardieu

Jean de Florette

Daniel Auteuil

Ugolin

Elisabeth Depardieu

Aimee Cadoret

Ernestine Mazurowna

Manon Cadoret

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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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