The Well Digger's Daughter

Name: The Well Digger's Daughter
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: July 20, 2012
Duration: 107 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Sabine Azéma

2012

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Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Kino Lorber Films | Release Date: July 20, 2012 | Not Rated

Starring: Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Sabine Azéma

Summary: Eponymous well-digger, Pascale, is a widower living with his six daughters in the Provence countryside at the start of World War I. His eldest, Patricia, has returned home from Paris to help raise her sisters, and Pascale dreams of marrying her off to his loyal assistant Felipe. But when she's impregnated by a wealthy young pilot whoEponymous well-digger, Pascale, is a widower living with his six daughters in the Provence countryside at the start of World War I. His eldest, Patricia, has returned home from Paris to help raise her sisters, and Pascale dreams of marrying her off to his loyal assistant Felipe. But when she's impregnated by a wealthy young pilot who promptly abandons her for the frontlines, Pascale is left to contend with the consequences. (Kino Lorber) … Expand

Director: Daniel Auteuil

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 107 min

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert

Oct 3, 2012

The Well Digger's Daughter is such a success that Auteuil has already been signed to direct three more Pagnol classics, and I eagerly want to see them. Read full review

Jordan Mintzer

Jul 16, 2012

A polished, finely acted tale of love and class in the south of France. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Jul 27, 2012

Best of all "Daughter" marks a return to old-school French moviemaking, the kind of classically well-made endeavor that unrolls before us like a beloved tapestry. This is the kind of film they don't make anymore, only here it is. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Jul 18, 2012

The Well-Digger's Daughter pushes a number of nostalgia buttons at once, most of them pleasing. Read full review

Boyd van Hoeij

Jul 16, 2012

The humanist spirit of Gallic novelist-director Marcel Pagnol is alive and well in the old-fashionedly sincere The Well-Digger's Daughter, a competent remake of Pagnol's eponymous 1940 melodrama about a working-class girl impregnated by a young pilot who's sent off to war. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Jul 20, 2012

Like Provence itself, Auteuil is in no hurry to get anywhere, reveling instead in the southern region's brilliant light and whispering crickets. His tangy accent and evident fondness for his character make the picture enjoyable enough as it plods along, and the final act wraps things up on a fulfilling note. Read full review

Eric Hynes

Jul 17, 2012

Bergès-Frisbey and Duvauchelle make for a deliciously ripe pair - their cheekbones defy both gravity and sound facial architecture - but Auteuil is less interested in young lust than old world values. Read full review

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KenR

Jul 9, 2022

Quite a surprise to find a film filled with all the human elements that make life special, especially from a contemporary moviemaker. A sterling job in all categories from Screenplay writer, director, actor, Daniel Auteuil - breathing believable life into a re-make of Marcel Pagnol’sQuite a surprise to find a film filled with all the human elements that make life special, especially from a contemporary moviemaker. A sterling job in all categories from Screenplay writer, director, actor, Daniel Auteuil - breathing believable life into a re-make of Marcel Pagnol’s original 1940 classic. Marvelous performances from all concerned make even the elements and situations that could have seemed clichéd fully believable and alive. Gorgeous location cinematography from veteran D.O.P. Jean-Françoise Robin, complimented with a thoughtfully melodic music score from Award winner Alexandre Desplat - make this a winner for audiences able to recognize the hallmarks of classic storytelling. No explosions, needless sex scenes, or car chases, just humanity from days gone by showcased in glowing style. This one needs to be seen by a larger audience.… Expand

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