Summary
Ten-year old Pascal spends his summer holidays in Corsica with his wealthy father, Laurent,
and his father’s attractive girlfriend, Catherine. During a boating trip, Pascal
and Laurent witness a military aircraft fall from the sky. A few weeks later, Pascal
shows signs of an illness. His father discovers that his son was subjected to a
blast of atomic radiation and that he has only six months to live. With no hope
of saving his son, Laurent enlists the help of his country friend Verdun to ensure that
Pascal is given the best six months any 10 year old boy can have. Even Pascal’s
wish to have a pet wolf must come true...
Review
This simple yet intensely poignant film tackles the subject of how to face up to death
with remarkable compassion and good humour. Largely overlooked until recently, the
film certainly merits a serious re-evaluation and deserves a higher profile than it currently
has.
Although the film’s first half is pretty ordinary fare, the latter part of the film is
compelling, as entertaining as it is moving. The combination of tenderness (captured
in the fine performances of William Holden and the angelic Brook Fuller) and light comedy
(from Bourvil) creates some undeniably stirring moments.
© James Travers 2000
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