Ce sacré grand-père (1967)
Directed by Jacques Poitrenaud

Film Review

The main selling points of this low-key romantic drama from director Jacques Poitrenaud are its singular poetry and a thoroughly engaging performance from the iconic actor Michel Simon, who still has what it takes to steal the focus in the twilight years of his glorious career. The previous year, Simon's popularity had been given a boost through his participation in Claude Berri's poignant wartime drama Le Vieil homme et l'enfant (1967). Ce sacré grand-père is probably the best film directed by Jacques Poitrenaud, a former assistant to Roger Vadim and Michel Boisrond whose other films include the early Louis de Funès comedy Un drôle de caïd (1964) and comedy-thriller Du grabuge chez les veuves (1964). Adapted from a novel by Catherine Paysan entitled Je m'appelle Jéricho, the film features another French cultural icon, in the form of singer Serge Gainsbourg, who not only contributed to the film's music but also proves himself to be a very capable and engaging actor. Marie Dubois and Yves Lefebvre don't quite have as much impact as Simon and Gainsbourg but they nonetheless turn in some pleasing performances.  Despite a slightly implausible plot and a simplistic view of human relationships, Ce sacré grand-père is a charming little film which offers a moving portrayal of estrangement and reconciliation.

Film Synopsis

Jéricho invites his grandson Jacques and his wife Marie to spend their summer holiday with him at his home in Lourmarin in the south of France.  Jacques accepts, even though he and Marie are separated and he is currently in a relationship with another woman, Agathe.  Certain that his grandfather knows nothing of these developments, Jacques persuades Marie to accompany him on the holiday and pretend they are still happily wed, for the sake of pleasing a kind old man.  Jéricho is, however, not so ignorant as Jacques imagines.  He knows that the couple have broken up and has arranged the holiday with the express purpose of bringing Jacques and Marie back together again...