Gregoire, the boy at the center of this story, has no use for formal education. He is happier working on projects on his own, and with his beloved grandfather. His grades are so atrocious that he ends up being expelled from the school he attends. Enrolling in another institution proves to be a problem because of his academic background. Gregoire finds a school he likes, one in which it caters to the young students needs and aptitudes, rather than a rigid set of programmed learning.
This television made film was a pleasant surprise when it showed recently on a French cable network. Directed by Olivier Langlois, the man that gave us "Monsieur Joseph", has worked extensively on films and series made for television. The film is based on a novel by Anna Gavalda, and adapted for the small screen by M. Langlois and Veronique Lecharpy. The idea that a formal academic school program is traditionally seen as the way for young minds to be formed and molded, yet how many children that are deemed failures by the same system go on to make names for themselves as they discover fields and subjects not taught by the educational establishment world-wide.
The young boy, Adrien Hurdubae, with his large, expressive eyes, was a lucky find for the director. As Gregoire, this young man is credible as the boy who does not adapt himself to any school program, only to excel when he is given free reign to create his own world. Gerard Rinaldi appears as the beloved grandfather who nourishes Gregoire's imagination, but is not lucky to see him reach his potential. Others in the cast include Stephane DeGroot, Helene Vincent and Eleonor Pourriat.
The film is positive and fun to watch thanks to Mr. Langlois' light touch, and a positive attitude toward making a case to tailor education to individual needs.
This television made film was a pleasant surprise when it showed recently on a French cable network. Directed by Olivier Langlois, the man that gave us "Monsieur Joseph", has worked extensively on films and series made for television. The film is based on a novel by Anna Gavalda, and adapted for the small screen by M. Langlois and Veronique Lecharpy. The idea that a formal academic school program is traditionally seen as the way for young minds to be formed and molded, yet how many children that are deemed failures by the same system go on to make names for themselves as they discover fields and subjects not taught by the educational establishment world-wide.
The young boy, Adrien Hurdubae, with his large, expressive eyes, was a lucky find for the director. As Gregoire, this young man is credible as the boy who does not adapt himself to any school program, only to excel when he is given free reign to create his own world. Gerard Rinaldi appears as the beloved grandfather who nourishes Gregoire's imagination, but is not lucky to see him reach his potential. Others in the cast include Stephane DeGroot, Helene Vincent and Eleonor Pourriat.
The film is positive and fun to watch thanks to Mr. Langlois' light touch, and a positive attitude toward making a case to tailor education to individual needs.
