Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

just watch it!

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Set approximately ten years after the events in 'Jean de Florette' we return to the same sale area of Provence. Jean's daughter, Manon, is now a beautiful young woman tending goats in the rugged hills near where her father attempted to farm. Meanwhile life is good for César Soubeyran and his nephew Ugolin, the men who cheated Manon and her mother out of their home and whose actions lead to the death of her father. Ugolin has developed feelings for Manon; he spies on her and puts hares and thrushes in her traps... she seems keener on the new school teacher though. Then she overhears two hunters talking about what happened ten years previously; in particular how César and Ugolin had blocked the spring. It isn't long before she seeks her revenge.I really enjoyed 'Jean de Florette'; so much so that I watched this 'part two' within a week. I was pleased to find that this is at least as good as the first film... in fact I think I marginally preferred this one. No time is wasted explaining what happened in the first film so I would say that it is essential that you watch 'Jean de Florette' first. The story provides plenty of laughs as well as moments so tragic that one can't help feeling sorry for antagonists César and Ugolin. Emmanuelle Béart is a delight as Manon; making her seem simultaneously vulnerable and as tough as the goats she tends. Yves Montand and Daniel Auteuil are equally impressive as César and Ugolin. As one might expect there is another delightful recreation of inter-war France and lots of beautiful scenery that is great to look out but would be hard to work. Overall I'd say that if you enjoyed 'Jean de Florette' this is a must see; if you've yet to see that watch it before watching this.

When this movie ends, you will be devastated - and haunted forever by it. Here are the tragic consequences of pettiness, jealousy and evil scheming - graphically presented in a stunning two-part movie (Gerard Depardieu delivers a tour de force performance in Part 1, the movie Jean de Florette, which you need to see before seeing this movie, Manon Of The Spring). This brilliant French opus has been largely ignored and/or forgotten here in America but it sets a standard few American films of its time came close to achieving. I loved it so much I went out and bought the VCRs and recently (with great difficulty), the DVDs (which are hard to find, sadly). Few American movies come close to the greatness of this film duo and their memorable impact.

When this film was released in Australia, it preceded the release of 'Jean de Florette', the first episode in what really is a continuing tale. Therefore, viewers were mystified by the story, even if they were impressed by the performances. 'Jean de Florette' appeared some months later, too late for cineastes to see Manon again. Luckily, the two are now being presented as a package, giving filmgoers a chance to see the two in the correct order.The result is very impressive indeed. The French continue to give us lessons in movie-making, and this duo was a change from the New Wave that showed us all how movies can be made. Emotions are to the fore, and Manon has revenge imprinted on it. 'Jean de Florette' gave us a hint, as the young Manon listens - and sees. She doesn't say much, but her face tells us that she is thinking through a resolution.I'm reminded of Nicole Kidman, in 'Dogville'. The character, Grace, is put upon by the locals, just as is Manon. The American treatment of revenge is different, with a different kind of violence. Dogville's conclusion is shocking and heart-rending; Whether you regard Emmanuelle Beart's face as more expressive than Nicole Kidman's is probably a very personal thing. But Manon's cold fury is a cinematic masterpiece, and we are well-prepared for the finale. This movie is so good I've no desire to read the book!

Manon des Sources is the second part of Jean de Florette. It's important to point out that it is a continuation of the story not a sequel. It takes on the narrative ten years down the line where Papet and Ugolin are reaping the benefits of cheating Jean from his land. Meanwhile Jean's daughter Manon (the beautiful Emmanuele Béart) roams the surrounding hills with her herd of goats - a constant reminder to the two men of the terrible injustice they committed against her and her family. To make matters a little more complicated Ugolin falls in love with this now gorgeous young woman, while she in turn falls for a local teacher. Manon still understandably holds a huge grudge against the men who she knows were indirectly responsible for her father's death, and the villagers too who she discovers knew of the scheming but did nothing. When she discovers the source of the water that feeds the village her revenge is set into motion...As a pair of movies Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources are a terrific example of the French heritage film. These movies play upon notions of nostalgia for a bygone era in France. The rural setting is beautifully evoked but more importantly the storyline is consistently strong and compelling, with great performances from all actors across both movies. If anything Manon des Sources is the greater of the two films, as it essentially satisfyingly concludes the storyline and gives the closure that we the audience want. The villains meet suitable ends and Manon herself finds true happiness. This summary may seem very hackneyed to anyone who has not seen them but these movies are handled with such a beautiful touch that their traditional narratives seem perfect. That said, the ending does provide us with a great little twist in a magnificent scene between Papet and a blind woman called Delphine. This revelatory scene in a graveyard offers a whole new dimension to the film and adds to the overall whole immeasurably.Jean de Florette and Manos des Sources are I suppose old fashioned movies in many respects. But they are old fashioned in the best ways. They offer quality cinema without patronising the viewer and have enough twists and turns and emotional involvement to satisfy the most jaded of cinema fans. A definite treat.