My Afternoons With Margueritte Review

Depardieu is a lumbering, illiterate handyman (Germain) in this sentimental drama set in small-town France. His life changes when he meets elderly bookworm Margueritte (Gisèle Casadesus), who feeds pigeons in the park. Soon, Germain’s loving literature and spending as much time with her as he does with his pub pals. It’s an age-old tale of two lonely folk healing wounds, yet done with sweetness and humour. But while these performances are endearing, incidental characters get in the way, and the ending pushes the boundaries of credibility almost as much as Germain’s relationship with beautiful young local Annette (Sophie Guillemin). That must be one small town.