The Sense of Wonder

In the modern current era, among endless repetitively boring movies that portray the subject matter of violence and the use of brute force, 'The Sense of Wonder' shines like a jewel. The movie is gentle. It makes one feel good about life. It brings up to the surface the subject of hope, and it reinforces the concept of the importance of caring for others, that are less fortunate than us. The movie proves that thinking outside the box, can sometimes overcome stereotypes. The importance of feelings, of kindness, warmth and sympathy reign in this movie. Louise and Pierre are destined to meet, accept each other, unite and 'do good' and complement each other. This is what love means.

A beautiful film, literally and figuratively, which begins and ends with an ultra-bokeh image. This bucolic tale is based on the chance encounter between Pierre, a man suffering from Asperger syndrome, and Louise, a widow, mother of two. The scenario might seem far-fetched and/or barely credible, but this observation is secondary: Louise is struggling to save her business of organic products, and any help would be welcome. Would Pierre be this providential help? During the film, the audience strolls with the main protagonists in an immense orchard lined with poppies and surrounded by fields of lavender or sunflowers. Thus, we see them taming to each other, as the fox and the little prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 1943). This film constantly rhymes with benevolence and sweetness. It's undoubtedly refreshing!

Filled with the wonders of Nature, and great cinematography of the Rhone/Alpes region of France. Beautiful story, also, about the wonders of the human mind and of altruistic Love. Sooo refreshing, compared to typical Hollywood fare. . . .

Mediterranean nature, with French style provincial homes, fruit gardens and idyllic country roads, is an actor in this film although we don't see his name in the casting. How can Romanticism and Asperger's syndrome exist together in a most unlikely love story? This movie is an answer with a subtile French humor. Although some may think Asperger's syndrome is a bit idealized in this scenario, and there is a logical mistake in the story, the beauty of the scenery, cinematic narration and the sophisticated reflection of the relationships by showing some details seemingly mundane and ordinary, are enough for compensation. The ordinary and mundane things are reflected as if (and as some of us experience, indeed) they are miraculous.

I adore this movie. By nervously checking my watch repeatedly in fear that time would pass too quickly and the movie might be over it was obvious how much I wanted it to last longer. As a lot of French movies it is a very gentle display of a delicate situation. There is some drama, there is sadness nevertheless there is this warm undertone in the background giving a feeling of hope. Someone in favor of romantic movies, an audience who appreciates the not-overly dramatic progress of French films that some might mistake as slow, to those this movie will be a delight. It is a gem with lovable characters where even the "villains'" actions are understandable, where warmth and humanity reign before fast-beated action. It is a good way to end a day. I strongly recommend having a pear pie with it. Enjoy!

Some film catch you from the first scene! Le goût des merveilles is that kind of film! It deals with a lot of subjects from social gathering, agriculture and love. I was relief and fresh when I came out from the theater! It's absolutely a delight for people who is looking for a feel good movie. Every artists performed very cleverly their role and they need o special standing ovation. In this magnum opus the director, the screen writer, cameraman and the editor have done a matured job. I must felicitated the main male and female lead. You'll know the reason when you'll come back after watching this beautiful drama! Once again, hats off to the whole team! Way to go... bavan

Though it has yet to play in England - indeed it may well be one of the many excellent French films that never make it across La Manche - the title has been translated as The Sense Of Wonder and it's not that far off the mark and it's not too difficult to envision writer- director Eric Besnard saying to himself 'let's start with a feelgood movie and work upwards' in an unconscious parody of Sam Goldwyn. What in fact he does start with is a lyrical rural setting in which we find a young, comely widow, living with her two young children. Within minutes, whilst distracted, she hits a young man with her car and although he is able to get up and walk unaided she takes it upon herself to tend to him. It is soon apparent that the man, although essentially harmless, does have 'issues' and this is where the film begins to resemble Eleanor Faucher's beautiful debut movie Brodeuses in that the two protagonists, whether they know and/or acknowledge it or not, are engaged in the process of mutual healing. Whilst a notch or two below Brodeuses - for one thing it lacks Ariane Ascaride - it is, nevertheless a fine, lyrical effort virtually guaranteed to put a smile on your lips and a tear in your eye.