
My Father’s Glory (1990) is one of the best films of all time. There, I’ve said it! Okay, so it may not have flashy special effects, but this sweet, funny, wistful story of a French family going on vacation is just chef’s kiss. I know, I haven’t sold you yet. Basically, it’s an adaptation of an autobiographical novel by Marcel Pagnol, French author and filmmaker. The first third tells the highlights of his life from birth through about age 11ish. The focus is on his parents, Joseph, a highly educated schoolteacher who is an atheist and adores his wife and son, and his mother Augustine, a former seamstress who is The Perfect wife and mother. But if you think this sounds cloying, it’s not. There’s wry humor throughout, like when Marcel accidentally learns to read by hanging out in his father’s classroom, and his mother decides it’s not safe for him to read so constantly removes anything written from him — and Marcel ends up reading recipes out loud.

We also meet Augustine’s sister, Rose. She begins as a single woman but has a sweet romance develop. In order to facilitate the romance, she takes Marcel to the park so she can meet with her suitor. In order to explain things so that Marcel won’t ask questions, she tells them her suitor owns the park.

The second and third acts of the film center on the two families (Marcel, his parents, and his younger brother and baby sister; and then Rose, her husband, and baby) as they rent a holiday house in the Provençal hills. Marcel’s parents are originally from this area, but they now live in Marseilles, so it’s a spiritual homecoming with some fish-out-of-water elements. Marcel basically gets to explore the countryside with his brother and then a local friend he makes, and the result is heartwarming and nostalgic in every possible good way. If you’ve ever clambered over rocks or listened to cicadas or enjoyed the novelty of eating outside during summer, you will love this movie. One sub-theme is Marcel’s hero worship of his father, which undergoes some bumps in the road.

You’ll also love the costumes, which no, aren’t flashy, but are the perfect kind of stepped-out-of-an-antique-photograph real people wear. They’re well made, super accurate to the era, and appropriate to the characters and story. Those costumes were designed by Agnès Nègre, who also designed the sequel to this film (My Mother’s Glory) as well as several other French productions, and Dominique Gay, who has very few credits. Sadly I can’t find any further information on the costume design and production, so I shall just share these images of beautiful Edwardian clothing:
















Have you seen My Father’s Glory? Help me explain why EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH IT in the comments!
Find this frock flick at:
I mean,
The capelets are pretty accurate. Corrina, whose youtube channel Just Vintage Crochet covers a lot of antique patterns, has made a few crochet capelets from the same time period and a decade or so earlier. She even has an updated capelet pattern from 1908 on her etsy shop. They show up in a lot of crochet pattern magazines, and women’s magazine craft sections, so they were popular. I think our modern eyes associate crochet with the 1970s, which were often revivals of the 1900’s, but its hard to get past that kitschy, granny association.
This i a Classic in France! I watched it in the theaters with my school when it came out (I think everyone my age did). It is so good! It’s an ode to Midi and Provence (especially the accent they speak with). The sequel is as good as the first opus. They released a third opus but only a few years ago I believe.
I am watching #3 in the series right now! Le temps des secrets (the time of secrets) which is a bit more coming-of-age. Marcel develops a crush on a snobby girl and his father has an affair (?) with the local baker’s wife. Costumes are still amazing, and incredibly they have found actors who look a lot like the 1990 cast! There is also a feminist subplot with Augustine and Rose, which is fun.
Wow, I didn’t know there was a third! Thanks!
I’ve never even heard of this movie, but damn those costumes are terrific work.
I’ll have to put this on the watch list.
Hard not to see that buzzy Margiela collection in the blouse-and-skirt combo!
I am not familiar with this, but the costumes look great!