The Grocer's Son
The Grocer's Son is a 2007 French drama film about a family that runs a grocery business in Provence, France; the business includes a single truck that travels the countryside making deliveries to customers. The director, Éric Guirado, had previously made television documentaries about traveling grocers in rural France. The film, released in France as Le Fils de l'épicier, was first presented as part of the 2007 Namur Francophone Film Festival. It was sufficiently successful that in 2008 subtitled versions were released internationally.
Synopsis
It concerns Antoine, who must leave Lyon to help his mother who runs the family grocery store in a village in Southern France. His father, stricken with a heart attack, can no longer drive the grocery truck that supplies the isolated hamlets around the village. Antoine discovers the charm of these people, "bons vivants" ways and gradually comes to love his eccentric customers and finds the country of his childhood. He also discovers the joy of living and perhaps the joy of love with Claire.The film uses the beautiful landscape of Mont Sainte-Victoire as a regular backdrop.
Cast
- Nicolas Cazalé as Antoine Sforza.
- Clotilde Hesme as Claire.
- Daniel Duval as Antoine's father, the proprietor of Alimentation Générale.
- Jeanne Goupil as Antoine's mother and the proprietress.
- Stéphan Guérin-Tillié as François Sforza.
- Liliane Rovère as Lucienne.
- as Le Père Clèment.
- as Hassan.
- Benoit Giros as Fernand.
- Ludmila Ruoso as Sophie.
Other credits
- Producers - Miléna Poyle and Gilles Sacuto
- Music - Christophe Boutin
- Production record—TS Production, Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, StudioCanal
- Location - Rosans, commune in Provence
Reception
The film received good reviews from several noted critics writing in English. Roger Ebert wrote, "The summer unfolds slowly. Claire goes back to Paris. The father arrives from Paris. The countryside is calm and seductive. The mother soldiers on, keeping the store open late "to help people." And Antoine comes of age. That's all the film is, apart from having humor, warmth, kindness, insight and scenery. That's enough."Nicolas Cazale was nominated for the César Award for Most Promising Actor for his performance as the Grocer's son.