TMS Movie Review: Petite Maman

(Lilies Films / Neon Films)

Céline Sciamma’s new family dramedy, Petite Maman, came to US theaters over Mother’s Day weekend. Almost exactly a year after its initial France release and following various other territory releases and film festivals in late 2021 and early 2022. For a while now, some movie fans have been wishing for shorter runtimes and a reminder tight editing can help a film’s quality. Sometimes I do wonder if the old Hollywood veterans were right that the final release is ‘the only edit.’ I’m sure the advancement of director’s cuts can be therapeutic for artists working within a strict studio system. But to my personal opinion, the vast majority of the time, I prefer the original theatrical cut over the director’s. For those who are big supporters of ‘less is more’ in story structure, Petite Maman is for you.

Set in a quiet, woodsy neighborhood in modern day France, 8-year-old Nelly (Joséphine Sanz) and her parents (played by Nina Meurisse and Stéphane Varupenne) are packing up the belongings of Nelly’s grandmother who has passed. While spending a few days at Mother’s childhood home to clear out the house, Father informs Nelly her mom suddenly had to leave for an emergency. While attempting to search for an old fort Mother made as a child in the woods, Nelly discovers another little girl (Gabrielle Sanz) who looks just like her and shares the same name as her mom: Marion.

(Lilies Films / Neon Films)

I don’t think the ‘twist’ in the plot is much of a spoiler, since if you translate the title Petite Maman, you’ll get Little Mom. Sciamma’s new feature is fantasy and whimsy, but there is no extravagant magic or supernaturalism. There are two adorable leads, and no famous faces to distract you from the story. The only music in the whole movie is near the end, with nature noises to fill the background instead. There’s no foul language, no violence, no sex and no nudity. There isn’t even a cute little animal anywhere to be found. At 73 minutes, Petite Maman might possibly be the most endearing, charming, sweet, quaint movie to come out this year. Sciamma was already well regarded for her teen dramas such as Water Lilies (2007) and Girlhood (2014), and can work with a costume romance like Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019). But here in Petite Maman, Nelly is far too young for romance or her own coming-of-age revelation. It’s just a daughter and mother reminding each other they’re loved. Compared to some of the other major motion pictures out right now—especially Sam Raimi’s Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness—Sciamma’s family piece has to have the smallest budget and production values relatively recently. If wholesome and modest sensibilities are your thing, definitely give Petite Maman a chance.