Les deux gosses (1936) is a total tear-jerker that actually works

If you're in the mood to feel a bit sad on a Tuesday, this is definitely worth your time.

Melodrama fans will love how heavy it gets, but if you can't stand kids crying in black and white, stay far away from this one. 😭

The story starts with this dad who thinks his wife cheated, so he just... gives his son Jean away to some random people. It's such a cold move that I had to rewind just to make sure I heard it right.

Jean gets renamed Fanfan, which sounds like a name for a tiny dog, but the kid makes it work. He meets Claudinet, the other boy in the house, and their chemistry is what keeps the whole thing from falling apart.

It reminds me a bit of the vibe in Children of Dreams, though maybe a bit more gritty in its own way.

I noticed the lighting in the indoor scenes is really harsh, like they only had one big lamp and just hoped for the best. It makes everyone's eyes look a bit haunted.

There is a scene where the boys are just sitting together talking about their future that felt so much more real than the big dramatic stuff. You can tell they actually liked each other off-camera.

The acting isn't as stiff as other movies from 1936, like Desire, which can feel a bit like a stage play sometimes.

Serge Grave plays Fanfan and he has this face that just looks like he's about to apologize for existing. It’s heart-breaking, honestly.

I did get a bit bored during the long middle section where they’re just walking around. Some of the street scenes look like they were filmed in a basement with some dirt thrown on the floor.

The music is way too loud. Every time someone gets sad, the violins start screaming at you to make sure you know it's a sad part.

I think I preferred the quieter moments, like when they share a piece of bread. It’s the small stuff that sticks. 🥖

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got a lot of heart for a movie that’s almost ninety years old.

One guy in the background of the pub scene looks exactly like my uncle, which was very distracting for about five minutes. He’s just standing there holding a glass and staring at nothing.

If you liked Breaking Home Ties, you'll probably dig the family drama here too.

The ending is... well, it’s a melodrama, so don’t expect everyone to go get ice cream and be happy. It wraps up a bit too fast for my liking, though.

One minute they are struggling, and the next, the credits are rolling. I wanted like five more minutes to breathe.

Anyway, it's a solid watch if you want to see some real French cinema history that isn't just people talking in cafes. 🎥