Poil de carotte (1932)

Duvivier's second take on Jules Renard's eponymous novel was a masterpiece of empathy. This great drama about humble people was his favorite among all his films and he devoted himself to the material once again after only seven years. With great sensitivity, he also directs the audience's attention to the inner conflicts of the child François in the sound film version but sets out the narrative in a more delicate and subtle way. Less interested in the caricatured depiction of daily family life revolving around a spiteful mother, in the remake Duvivier concentrated on the tricky relationship between the resigned father, played by a sullen Harry Baur, and the son seeking his affection. (re/fl)