Goodbye, My Children
1987
Directed by Louis Malle
I remember watching this in my French class and trying not to get too emotional. As I was determined to be invisible in high school, crying would have made my head explode with embarrassment (a rare but documented phenomenon). Thankfully, since I am now alone in bed, I can cry to my heart's content.
Julien Quentin is a spoiled bully who attends a boarding school during World War II. He soon discovers that the headmaster is granting asylum to young Jews, which include Jean Bonnet, a new student. A friendship develops and Julien begins questioning the behavior of everyone in his life, including himself.
Our last Louis Malle film was Atlantic City, which I thought was rather horrendous. With this film we have rekindled the old flame, as this reminded me heavily of Murmur of the Heart. I don't often like movies staring children, but the actors here were perfect.
A heartbreaking story and one that deserves to be told.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Based on a real incident in Malle's childhood.
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