Small Change (film)
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| Directed by | François Truffaut |
| Produced by | François Truffaut |
| Written by | François Truffaut, Suzanne Schiffman |
| Starring | Jean-François Stévenin, Virginie Thévenet |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | March 17, 1976 (France) |
| Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
Small Change (French: L'Argent de poche) is a 1976 French film directed by François Truffaut. The title translates to "Pocket Money" from French, but since there was a Paul Newman movie called Pocket Money, Steven Spielberg suggested the title Small Change for US release.[1] In English-speaking countries outside North America the film is known as "Pocket Money". The film had a total of 1,810,280 admissions in France making it one of Truffaut's most successful films. [2]
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[edit] Plot
Small Change is a comedy with a serious message, based around the daily lives of young children in Thiers, France. Scenes include a baby and a cat perilously playing on an open windowsill, a girl causing confusion with a bullhorn, a double date at the movie theater, a kid telling a dirty joke, a botched haircut, as well as many scenes about school life. Yet throughout this the difficulties and responsibilities faced by children appear, including the ongoing story of a boy's experience of an abusive home. Truffaut gives a message of resilience in the face of injustice, vocalized through one of the teachers. The story ends with a message of hope, the school closing for the summer vacation, and one of the key characters finding his first love at a summer camp.
Most of the characters were not professional actors.
[edit] Cast
Children
- Philippe Goldmann - Julien
- Bruno Staab - Bruno
- Geory Desmouceaux - Patrick
- Laurent Devlaeminck - Laurent
- Sylvie Grezel - Sylvie
- Pascale Bruchon - Martine
- Claudio Deluca - Mathieu
- Franck Deluca - Frank
- Sebastien Marc - Oscar
- Richard Golfier - Richard
Adults
- Nicole Félix - Grégory's mother (as Nicole Felix)
- Chantal Mercier - Chantal Petit, the Schoolteacher
- Jean-François Stévenin - Jean-François Richet, the Schoolteacher
- Virginie Thévenet - Lydie Richet
- Tania Torrens - Nadine Riffle, hairdresser
- René Barnerias - Monsieur Desmouceaux, Patrick's father
- Katy Carayon - Sylvie's Mother
- Jean-Marie Carayon - Police inspector, Sylvie's father
- Annie Chevaldonne - Nurse
- Francis Devlaeminck - Monsieur Riffle, hairdresser, Laurent's father
- Michel Dissart - Monsieur Lomay, constable
- Michele Heyraud - Madame Deluca
- Paul Heyraud - Monsieur Deluca
- Jeanne Lobre - Julien's grandmother (as Jane Lobre)
- Vincent Touly - Concierge
[edit] Acclaim
When released, Small Change amassed critical acclaim. It was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film. Vincent Canby of the New York Times called Small Change, "an original, a major work in minor keys"[3] and Pauline Kael described it as , "that rarity, a poetic comedy that's really funny."[4] Roger Ebert named it his favorite of the year, calling it a "magical film" and singled out the windowsill scene as "Truffaut at his best." [5] Leonard Maltin gave the movie four stars (out of four) and called it "wise, witty and perceptive." [6] The film was also entered into the 26th Berlin International Film Festival.[7]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Toubiana, Serge. "Steven Spielberg : la master class". arte.tv. http://www.arte.tv/fr/Steven-Spielberg---la-master-class/6308646.html. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ http://www.jpbox-office.com/fichfilm.php?id=8104
- ^ New York Times review
- ^ Amazon.com review
- ^ Roger Ebert's review
- ^ Leonard Maltin's 2006 Movie Guide, Signet: New York
- ^ "IMDB.com: Awards for Small Change". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074152/awards. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
[edit] External links
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