Le fils de l'épicier 2007

Monica Eng, Chicago Tribune: For all of its sleepy charms and pretty shots of the countryside, the film doesn't serve up a lot of fresh insights, unless you count finding out what senior citizens buy from grocery vans in these little hamlets. Read more

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: Unforced and beautifully acted. Read more

Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times: Eric Guirado's lovely French drama The Grocer's Son is about that moment in a young person's life when he realizes that he is, despite all efforts to the contrary, a grown-up. Read more

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe: A movie begging this hard to be loved is unattractive. Read more

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: A love of unspoiled countryside and its sturdy people suffuses this film, which unfolds with subtlety, humor and affection -- and becomes in the process a pure enchantment. Read more

Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com: Though its quiet pastoral charms may not change your life the way they do Antoine's, you'll find the scenery comforting, the humanity reassuring, and the story appealing. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: The Grocer's Son offers a nicely observed portrait of a man in search of himself, finding his purpose, and finding that, in fact, it is possible to go home again. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Director Eric Guirado has woven an endearing modern-day fable that offers a pleasant 90-minute respite from the worries to be found outside the theater doors. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: You can probably guess the trajectory of the story. But it's not really the destination that makes this a charmer, it's the journey there, mostly by grocery van. Read more

Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle: The quiet, patient soulfulness of the film, which Guirado co-wrote with Florence Vignon, lingers. Read more

Hank Sartin, Time Out: Read more

David Fear, Time Out: Given that Eric Guirado's drama sticks to a predictable arc, it's less the tale that matters than the telling. Read more

David Jenkins, Time Out: It's a small, well-rounded movie that you'd be hard pressed to find fault with, achieving its modest goals with subtle aplomb while whipping up humour and empathy from Antoine's rapport with his doddery clientele. Read more

Ronnie Scheib, Variety: Eric Guirado's documentary background grants a rare richness of detail and unforced humor to his seductive second feature. Read more

Michelle Orange, Village Voice: A small, self-assured film that moves at its own pace, always staying one graceful step ahead of its reluctant protagonist. Read more

Mike Mayo, Washington Post: A film that sticks close to its characters and plays fair with them throughout. Read more