We missed this french production in theaters and only saw this on DVD later, and now we're watching it every few months. The story is rather simple, and the concept of two outsiders building a friendship and mastering life better as a result is not really new. However, with human drama, the performances of the actors are what makes a film tick, and here everything comes together perfectly. Gérard Depardieu (as Germain) and Gisèle Casadesus (as Margueritte) are the contrasting pair - he heavy-built, strong and slow, she frail and old but with a very agile mind. Those two have great chemistry, and every smile and gesture makes you love them some more. Germain's girlfriend and mother are important and are played to perfection, too. The music by Laurent Voulzy is beautiful; camera and light catch the atmosphere very well and the comedy elements are not overemphasized. And with 75 minutes running-time, they showed restraint and didn't blow up this small, but lovable story out of proportion. Highly recommended!
