Cesar (1936)

 Marcel Pagnol's "Cesar"


In completing Marcel Pagnol's "Marseille Trilogy," 1936's "Cesar" takes us 20 years into the future in the lives of these characters we've come to know for two films. "Cesar" is a far more somber affair than "Marius" or "Fanny" as the latter two seem far more energized with passion. The former, in dealing with death right off the bat (with the death of Honore Panisse), is far more contemplative with an air of tragedy fogging up the atmosphere of every frame. 

What I noticed about "Cesar" helped me further to identify with "Marius" and "Fanny" in that Pagnol seems to be illustrating the consequences of adhering to the convention of modernity and societal appearances. All of the characters make all of their decisions based on factors outside of their wants and desires, so as to appease the economic or societal expectations of what they 'should do.' The only character who acted on his own desires was Marius when he initially abandoned everyone to go be a sailor. However, even this had negative consequences, as well. 

All in all, the three films are a sad affair. They all deal with a handful of people who must shift and maneuver their way through the circumstances of their lives and make difficult choices that will affect them forever. 



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