Marcel (Julien Ciamaca) Is an eleven-year-old coming up in late 1800s Marseilles. His father is a schoolmaster, and this grants the family some much-coveted free time as he earns a new promotion. With a little bit of convincing from Marcel, the family spends the weekends at their modest summer home in Provence among the hills he loves so much. There, he idles away his time with a local peasant boy, checking fur traps and getting into boyish trouble, until one day he meets a rich girl lost in the hills. They become fast friends, or so Marcel thinks, but it’s just puppy love. The rich girl treats him like her pet, and Marcel’s mother forbids him from seeing her further. Will this turn Marcel’s rural retreat into a personal hell?
This 1990 family drama will appeal to those with tastes in French culture and film first and foremost, especially those who have read the novels. While it was lauded upon its release, the years haven’t been especially kind to My Mother’s Castle. The set dressing, costuming, and other historical aspects of the film are immaculate and will appeal to lovers of historical fiction and period dramas, but the story is what I would describe as “pleasantly typical.” There’s no huge stakes: It’s not Les Misérables. There’s not a lot of action.
Also, there is a moment where Marcel wears blackface as a part of the rich girl’s games, frequent smoking, and alcohol use that will give parents pause about showing the film to their children. For that reason, despite the original family film intent, My Mother’s Castle should be placed in historical fiction or period drama collections for best reception. Beyond these few hiccups and marks of age, My Mother’s Castle is an excellent coming-of-age drama that will especially appeal to lovers of French film.
Where does this title belong on public library shelves?
My Mother’s Castle will fit best among period dramas and historical fiction titles.
What kind of film series could use this title?
A series on French drama could be a good place to highlight My Mother’s Castle.