To Be and to Have (2003)

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

The greatest movie ever made..!

not horrible nor great

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

Version I saw: LoveFilm Bluray, subtitledActors: N/APlot/script: 5/10Photography/visual style: 6/10Music/score: 7/10Overall: 6/10Whatever caught my attention and caused me to add Etre et Avoir to my watch list, I had pretty much forgotten it by the time I came to watch this film, so I had very little expectation beyond an impression of quaint Frenchness. And indeed I got that; the documentary is filmed almost entirely within the classroom of a tiny rural French school. We get to know the kids and teacher by watching them learn, often frustratingly slowly, although that only makes it more satisfying when the light of comprehension dawns in their little eyes.If there is one thing missing from the film, it is context. I had to read the DVD sleeve notes to find out that the mode of education we see here is considered old-fashioned and under threat. It was only once I knew this that I was able to understand that the message of the film is pro-tradition in the face of cold modernity. I had access to that information, it is true, but truly outstanding documentaries are able to insert the necessary context unobtrusively.There is a universality here, in that similar situations can be found in any country large enough to have variations in population density. Incidentally, the title is pretty clever, evoking French grammar lessons as well as the huge concepts of being and having. I don't think I really *learned* anything from the film though, as I would normally expect to from a documentary.I think viewers will get out of Etre et Avoir what they bring in. If the idea of a feature length documentary set entirely in a French classroom sounds charming and heart-warming, you will be charmed and your heart warmed. If it sounds boring, you will be bored.

I was either the age of thirteen or fourteen when I first watched Être et Avoir in my high school French class. Present day I am twenty-two years old and for some unknown reason, today I had memories of this film.miraculously, my search for a French school film where at some point, I believe this may be in the additional extras of the making of the film, the students where not so happy about being filming in the shower, being embarrassed which is what I remember this for because where sub titles where not available, she would tell us and she laughed at their reactions telling us.The compassion you see in this film makes it all worthwhile, you learn so much yet I avoid to explain without spoiling any information for people reading my experience wanting to watch this film.

Don't they salute the Flag, Pledge Allegiance or hold Assemblies in French schools? I did not see any reference to the World outside the rural part of France: is that any help to the next generation of French students trying to survive in a modern world? By the age of 6 or so all of us at school were expected to be able to locate England and the main Dominions, Colonies and Commonwealth members. Maybe they cannot do tha in France for good reason? I can see the point of this movie; it celebrates the joy of looking inward in a French way. Nothing wrong with that, I'm just saying. It's cute, amusing and diversionary but perhaps there is a temptation to deify this beyond its self referential framework?A story of a rural Canadian, American or English school could be equally appealing: perhaps it's the effect of being a non English speaking / foreign language movie that moves it up through the ranks. Do go and watch this - don't take my word for it. Tongues in cheek are in season at the moment. The teacher is sincerity personified and the story of his Spanish father's migration to France, his parents' financial sacrifices and the hidden sacrifices he has made in his life go to make this a story that is more interesting about the man than the children. Break out the sincerity popcorn folks and wallow in French arcadia for an hour or two; can't hurt can it?

But I expect we won't see part two - because of the quiet discontent that spiraled out of control once the movie hit box office paradise. The producers evidently turned capitalistic in their approach and by calling this movie a "documentary" where given the license to keep over one million euros while the actual star "Mr. Georges Lopez" makes nothing. He sued after the movie made it to the top of the charts - but the French Government failed to give him his due reward. Shame on them! I agree with Mr. Lopez, and the families of the children who are suing for a piece of the profit. Where else on earth could this money be more well spent? But to conclude, Mr. Lopez, you may not receive materially thanks for your life work as a teacher, but you surely receive the thanks of all residents of this world for your gentle, loving and intellectual approach to enriching the lives of the children of rural France. Cudos Mr. Lopez. You are a hero in the truest sense of the word. And one other thing I'd like you to know...there could not be a more beautiful place on earth then where your one room school house was located - I envy you your job and your location...a life well led is almost impossible in a global capitalistic economy like the one we are all confined to live in. One last thing....write a book if you'd like to make some money. Since I'm sure that Part II won't be coming out in the film office, I'd be just as happy to read about it. Then come and live out your final days here in the U.S.. You would certainly receive better legal treatment here then in France!