I watched this movie with my girlfriend one night, and she commented on the fact that the children never change clothes. At first I thought she was referring to the poor, abused child. But I noticed that the costumes for the other children remained the same. I studied film in college, and I thought for a long while why Truffaut would want to keep the costumes the same. My theory is that Truffaut wanted to capture these kids at one certain point in there lives where they don't change. Children grow up so fast, they become teenagers, then adults. By the time adulthood sets in, they've become somewhat jaded by the world around them. By keeping the kids in the same costumes, I think Truffaut is trying to capture the moment in there lives where they remained the same. Although first love and heartbreak is inevitable, at least, for one brief period, we see these kids in a state of grace. I think this point is also strengthened by the fact that Truffaut used the children's real names for their roles.
This is the type of film parents wished were made more often, except when these films are made, nobody goes to see them (Another good example of a family film that bombed is "Searching For Bobby Fisher"). This is the perfect family film. It's charming, touching and filled with laughter. No wonder Steven Spielberg suggested it to Truffaut.
If this film doesn't touch your heart, you probably don't have one.
This is the type of film parents wished were made more often, except when these films are made, nobody goes to see them (Another good example of a family film that bombed is "Searching For Bobby Fisher"). This is the perfect family film. It's charming, touching and filled with laughter. No wonder Steven Spielberg suggested it to Truffaut.
If this film doesn't touch your heart, you probably don't have one.