L' Argent de Poche (Pocket Money) (Small Change) (1976)

100% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(3,290 ratings)

L'Argent de Poche (Small Change) is an episodic comedy drama composed of several sequences that explore childhood in director François Truffaut's signature humanistic style. Filmed in Thiers in South Central France, each vignette is seen from the point of view of a kid from two weeks to 14 years… More L'Argent de Poche (Small Change) is an episodic comedy drama composed of several sequences that explore childhood in director François Truffaut's signature humanistic style. Filmed in Thiers in South Central France, each vignette is seen from the point of view of a kid from two weeks to 14 years old. There is no real plot, just little scenes flowing together dealing with personal joys and pains of the children in a small town. While most of the issues are simple and lighthearted, some of the kids have a harder time growing up. A few choice moments involve a double date at the movies, brothers who give a friend a haircut, and a toddler who falls from a window. Patrick (Georges Desmouceaux) discovers girls and helps care for his father, Sylvie (Sylvie Grizel) rebels against her parents, and Julien (Philippe Goldmann) comes from a painful home life. While mostly focusing on developing the personal perspectives of children, adults get some screen time to share their wisdom. The conclusion consists of a monologue from the schoolteacher, played by Jean-François Stévenin. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: François Truffaut
Written By: François Truffaut
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Mar 17, 1976 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2001

Critic Reviews

Nick Pinkerton, Village Voice
Gets at something meager and precious about childhood.
, New York Times
A major work in minor keys.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
[Truffaut] ecreates childhood, and yet he sees it objectively, too: He remembers not only the funny moments but the painful ones.
Charles Cassady, Common Sense Media
Gentle French coming-of-age film is best for teens and up.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
Filled with familial love, youthful spontaneity and gentle humor.
Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York
One longs for a less mawkish hand whenever this film slips into didacticism, the prime offender being Stévenin's climactic speech to his class.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Delightfully competent but slight episodic childhood drama/comedy.
Mark Pfeiffer, Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema
Truffaut is so precise with his observations and unintrusive with the camera that we feel as if we are seeing a documentary instead of contrived movie scenarios.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
It walks the line between cloying and charming, but mostly manages to stay on the right side.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A wonderful valentine to the playfulness and spontaneity of children

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

This film depicts episodes from children's lives in a small town in the very center of France. While I watched this film, two things kept recurring in my head. First, Truffaut is so much better when he's dealing with children, Stolen Kisses being an… More
This film depicts episodes from children's lives in a small town in the very center of France. While I watched this film, two things kept recurring in my head. First, Truffaut is so much better when he's dealing with children, Stolen Kisses being an exception. Second, this is so much better than Amarcord, which is a Fellini film that L'Argent de Poche reminds me of. In both Fellini and Truffaut's films, we see no main character except the town's inhabitants, and there are comedic episodes that attempt to convey a "slice of life." But like Amarcord, many of the "comedic" moments aren't especially funny. One is downright ridiculous; I won't give it away, but at the resolution of the Gregory situation, I briefly hated this film, finding it emotionally manipulative and simple-minded. But unlike Amarcord Truffaut has clear thematic purpose. He remembers and conveys the moments of childhood when the cliche of "childhood innocence" rings true, but at the same time, he captures the awkwardness and embarrassment of trying to make one's way in the world without a road map or a trustworthy tour guide. I also found the curious absence of parents interesting, replaced, it seems, with teachers who seem more cautious and exacting than their biological counterparts. And the climactic speech by an educator provides a good thematic conclusion. Overall, I liked L'Argent de Poche, even though there were moments when it tried my patience.
Tom S

I could watch an entire feature of that little Gregory kid. But not if he keeps falling out of windows. That was not funny.

Cast

            Nicole Félix as Mother

            Chantal Mercier as Chantal

            Jean-François Stévenin as Jean-Francois Richet

            Virginie Thévenet as Lydia Richel

            Tania Torrens as Nadine Riffle

            Geary Desmouceaux as Patrick

            Philippe Goldman as Julien

            Sylvie Grezel as Sylvie

            Pascale Bruchon as Martine

            René Barnerias as M. Desmouceaux

            Marcel Berbert as Headteacher

            Corinne Boucart as Corinne

            Yvon Boutina as Oscar as an Adult

            Jean-Marie Carayon as Sylvia's Father

            Kathy Carayon as Sylvia's Mother

            Annie Chevaidonné as Nurse

            Claudio Deluca as Mathieu Deluca

            Frank Deluca as Himself

            Francis Devlaeminck as Mons. Riffle

            Laurent Devlaeminck as Laurent Riffle

            Michel Dissart as M. Lomay

            Monique Dury as Florist

            Richard Golfier as Himself

            Little Gregory as Himself

            Paul Heyraud as M. Deluca

            Christian Lentretien as M. Goifier

            Jane Lobre
            
            Christine Pellé as Mme. Leciou

            Bruno Staab as Bruno Rouillard

            Roland Thénot as Librarian

            Vincent Touly as Caretaker

            Laura Truffaut as Madeleine Doinel

            Thi Loan Nguyen as His Wife

            François Truffaut as Martine's Father

            Eva Truffaut as Patricia

            Phillippe Goldman
            
See full cast

L' Argent de Poche (Pocket Money) (Small Change) (1976)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Jim H

Tom S

Cast