Our Review

                       Movie: A MAGNIFICENT LIFE

               Rating: PG-13, language, smoking, some                        suggestive material and brief violent                                           content

                                       Length: 1:30

                         Release Date: March 28, 2026

Jeanne: A French animated masterpiece by filmmaker Sylvain Chomet, A MAGNIFICENT LIFE is based on the writings of author, playwright, farmer, scientist, studio director --- and filmmaker --- Marcel Pagnol, who did, in fact, lead a magnificent life. The film is being released for the 130th anniversary of Pagnol’s birth.

 

Already famous, Pagnol (voiced by Laurent Lafitte) is commissioned by Elle Magazine to write a literary serial recounting his early years in Marseille, his time in Provence, his love affairs, etc. As he struggles to begin, little Marcel appears at his side helping him to remember his youth and his mother, whom he loved dearly. With memories now rushing to be written, Pagnol is able to become “the hero of his own story”.

 

Nicolas Pagnol, Marcel’s grandson, along with producers Ashargin Poiré and Valérie Puech, originally planned on filming a documentary about Marcel’s life, with two animated scenes. They approached Chomet with the idea. However, there wasn’t much interest in their idea other than the animation by Chomet, who decided to make a fully animated biopic. And the results are stunning.

Chomet’s first animated feature, THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (2003) was nominated for two Oscars --- Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song --- and happens to be a huge favorite of mine. In 2010, THE ILLUSIONSIT was released, again to great acclaim garnering nominations for a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, while winning the César for Chomet.

 

His animation style is distinct --- and breathtaking. Animation supervisor Xiaopeng Jiao and artistic director Lana Choukroune worked closely with Chomet to preserve his graphic style throughout A MAGNIFICENT LIFE. Each shot averages 100 drawings --- as opposed to 10-20 drawings per shot for an animated action film. Occasionally as many as 1,000 drawings were necessary. And Chomet notices even the tiniest of details, which is what makes his movie the masterpiece it is.

 

And, with all great films, a spectacular soundtrack is paramount. Composer Stefano Balloni had reached out to Sylvain Chomet, who was impressed with Balloni’s use of the recorder in his music. Chomet wanted a large orchestra reminiscent of the Golden Age of Hollywood, which would enhance his storytelling of Pagnol’s era. It’s truly marvelous --- an excellent accompaniment to the outstanding animation.

 

A MAGNIFICENT LIFE is definitely for adults. It is delightfully charming --- and features twice one of my favorite places in Paris to sit “and watch the world pass by” --- Café de la Paix. And yes, it has been around that long --- since 1862. Don’t miss it the next time you’re in Paris! And do not miss A MAGNIFICENT LIFE!

 

                   In English with no subtitles         

 

Opinion: Strong See It Now!

David: A MAGNIFICENT LIFE is virtually a documentary about a French playwright, novelist and filmmaker who thrived in Paris from 1955 until his death in 1974. His name was Marcel Pagnol, but this film is an extraordinary achievement in animation.

 

Directed by Sylvain Chomet --- he earned Oscar nominations for past animated films THE ILLUSIONIST (2010) and more impressively, THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE (2003) --- A MAGNIFICENT LIFE is completely watchable for its fabulous animation technique alone. Pagnol’s grandson Nicholas Pagnol was only a year old when his grandfather died, but with his grandmother’s help with her husband’s legacy, Nicholas contributed to Chomet’s movie as a writer. 

A MAGNIFICENT LIFE cleverly depicts Marcel as an adult interacting with his youthful self to reveal to the viewer much about his philosophy and his experiences. One such sequence features Marcel’s obsession with perpetual motion which is scientifically impossible. Another depicts  Marcel’s refusal to collaborate with the Nazis amid the German occupation of Paris in WWII.

 

This film was an official selection at Cannes after three years in production by Chomet and his crew. There are so many wonderful sequences to absorb that A MAGNIFICENT LIFE requires at least a second viewing. Again, this movie is primarily in animation although there are occasional clips of real-life footage. In any event, the film is truly joyful.

 

                            In English with no subtitles      

 

Opinion: Strong See It Now!