The Two of Us (1967)

The Two of Us (Le vieil homme et l’enfant)
Directed by Claude Berri
Written by Gerard Brach, Claude Berri, and Michel Rivelin
1967/France
PAC/Renn Productions/Valoria Films
First viewing/Netflix rental

[box] More and more, when I single out the person out who inspired me most, I go back to my grandfather. James Earl Jones[/box]

Claude Berri’s autobiographical tale of a childhood spent in hiding is a beautifully heartfelt film with a stunning performance by the great Michel Simon.

Jewish parents try to keep their irrepressible 8-year-old Claude from drawing too much attention to himself in Occupied Paris. Eventually the situation deteriorates further and they send him off to live with a friend’s elderly parents in the countryside.  There old man Pepe (Simon) immediately tells the boy to call him grandpa.  The couple take tender care of Claude, not suspecting he is Jewish.  Grandpa continually harps on the world problems caused by the Jews and Bolsheviks and is full of praise for the Vichy Government.

But despite any hate in his ideology, Pepe has only love in his heart.  He adopts Claude as a kind of playmate and confidant.  The boy reciprocates completely.

Claude Berri, director Jean de Florette and Manon des sources (1986), both tragically missing from The List, shows he was as capable of evoking the beauty and warmth of the French countryside in black-and-white as he was in color.  Simon is a totally lovable force of nature as the old man.  The images and mood are complemented masterfully by the Georges Delarue score. The movie engaged me throughout and is a sure thing for my Favorite New-to-Me Films of 2019.  Very warmly recommended.