Review of Conversations with My Gardener (2007) by Andrew C — 09 Jan 2008

I didn't think I would enjoy this because I had originally planned on seeing Priceless (with Audrey Tatou) but it head sold out when I got to the movies. Not to worry though because this was a very decent substitute.

It's a very french character drama set in the countryside of France, complete with all of it's luscious greens and sun drenched countryside. The film revolves around two old old friends who meet again when one of them returns to his home town to inherit his parents house and spend time chilling out while he is going through a divorce with his wife (even if he doesn't want it, but then again he did cheat on her with one of his nude models) He is a painter now and this old friend comes to take the gardening job he was advertising. So after realising who they are (they both were part of a hilarious prank on one of their teachers in school) they start to reconnect and bond over the course of a summer.

The pacing is very deliberate, as you would expect of a film this type so it's not for the impatient. It's the sort of film that rewards you with subtle pleasures, like catching a carp in the afternoon sun or the same little dog running after the gardener each morning.. It does slightly outstay it's welcome towards the end with the third act taking a bit too long to wind up but overall I was very impressed with this. It reminded me of another french film, 'the children of the marshlands'. Maybe check that one out if you liked this one.