Author: Armistead Maupin

What is it about?

In this second part of the Chronicles of San Francisco, we learn more about the characters of 28 Barbary Lane and others. We meet some new people like Burke the most mysterious handsomest guy in the world for Mary Ann or the enigmatic lady from the eleventh. Some people are catching up after years and years of absence and Mrs Madrigal reveals her big secret at last.

What did I think about it?

First I had to familiarise myself again with the different characters and their stories as it’s been several months since I read the first book of the series. But everything came back quite quickly as it’s not that easy to forget all those unusual characters. What interested me the most in this book was the fact that the story was this time set up in 1977. Indeed, I have recently seen the film Milk which is telling the story of Harvey Milk who was elected in San Francisco in part to defend the homosexual rights. This dimension is very present in More Tales of the City as Michael has to deal with his parents who are not aware of his sexuality and are supporting the opponent to the homosexual right the very conservative Anita Bryant. As I had seen the film before, I could better visualise the places and the different political personalities that where mentioned in the story. I was more aware of the political climate of the time and therefore understood better what were exactly the characters’ concerns. As for the other aspects of the story it was also very interesting and I couldn’t wait to know more about the different secret of each characters. Except sometimes I just thought it was maybe a bit too much. For example the Burke’s mystery made me think a bit of an old version of the Da Vinci Code and the Mona’s family reunion seemed a bit too easy. But anyway it works and you are still happy to read about it and to share the characters’ joys and pains.

Number of pages: 288

Rating: ****

The 3 first sentences:

The valentine was a handmade pastiche of Victorian cherubs, pressed flowers and red glitter. Mary Ann Singleton took one look at it and squealed delightedly.

“Mouse! It’s magnificient.

Directors: Alexander Korda, Marc Allégret and Marcel Pagnol

Actors: Raimu, Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis and Charpin

Years:  Marius 1931, Fanny 1932, César 1935

What is it about?

The story is set in the old port of Marseilles in the 30s. César is the owner of the “Bar de la Marine” who serves pastis all day long to his usual and laidback customers. Marius, César’s son is fed up with this life where everything seems to still be an unchanged even the constant remarks that his father is telling him, not looking at him as a grown up man but a child that need to be corrected. Fanny is the daughter of the fishmonger and she sells shells to the tourists and passers-by in front of César’s café. Fanny is secretly in love with Marius. But Marius, who is dreaming of a different unknown destiny full of adventures onboard one of the ships that often sails in Marseilles port, stays completely indifferent to her love. But one day, Panisse who has been mourning his late wife for almost a year, decides to propose to Fanny. At last Marius realises how much he cares for the little shell seller. But the call of the sea becomes stronger than ever and he will have to make a choice.

What did I think about it?

This is truly one of my favourite films. The story is actually happening along 3 films and during what is supposed to be 20 years. In reality the three films had been filmed in only 5 years. What I really love in this trilogy is the story and the strength of the characters and their dialogues. Indeed, these films have been adapted from the three theatrical plays written by Marcel Pagnol. Marcel Pagnol is originally from the region of Provence in the south of France and from Marseilles in particular. He has been the first and maybe the last author to celebrate this city and its region so well. All his work was concentrated on it and on its inhabitants. Through his work he offers us an incomparable insight of what it is to be a “Marseillais” and what this place represents.

 In this trilogy, the actors are really exceptional. In particular Raimu, who was one of the best actors ever. He is not acting a role, he is living it.  The actors were also the ones that were already in the original play. They know their characters perfectly and know exactly how to pronounce their text to give the best impact on the public. This is also this text that gives all the strength to the characters. Many sentences and scenes are now kept in the common knowledge and everyone knows them perfectly by heart. In particular, the card game scene, where César is trying to cheat using a play on words about the signs displayed on the cards.

The south accent and the expressions are inimitable and contribute a lot to the charm of the story. I have no idea how much of the dialogue was improvised but the interaction between the characters during the scenes of fights or arguments seem so natural that you can’t really imagine that the text was written so perfectly well to fit the atmosphere of tension that keeps increasing in it. But actually from what I have read, most of it was written in the original play. This can also give you an idea of Marcel Pagnol’s talent.

The story in itself is very dramatic. You never know how it is going to end and you keep expecting some happy ending though thinking that it can never happen. The characters seem so helpless and keep dreaming of an impossible happiness. But it is also very funny. That’s what I really like about this story, it always alternates between a very sad scene and the funniest ever. Usually when I’m watching this trilogy I spend my time crying both because it is so funny and so sad at the same time. I really advise you to watch this film urgently if you are not afraid of old French films for the 30’s. But this film is so modern that you don't realise how old it really is. The pity about this DVD though is that unless you speak French you will never be able to really feel the characters emotions because the speed of the dialogue is so fast that is was impossible to translate it completely in the subtitles. But the characater's show really worth it.

Time: Marius 120 min; Fanny 121 min; César 134 min.

Quote: César : “Tu me fends le coeur!”