L'Poche d'Argent (1976)

This French film from director Francois Truffaut is also known as "Pocket Money" and "Small Change" and is an affectionate look at a group of schoolboys (and one or two memorable girls) in a small provincial town.  Truffaut has always demonstrated an interest and an insight into childhood and the stories we follow in this episodic movie are all warmly told, even that of the outcast young thief whose sorry home life is eventually revealed.  This is a film of great humour and insight with a number of very cute actors not acting "Hollywood cute", as we see them interact with their teachers, their friends, their parents, and their neighbours -- all of whom are richly drawn.  There is one absolutely look-away-from the-screen moment when an infant is seen playing about on an unprotected ninth floor balcony, but Truffault wants us to understand the joys of childhood, not its tragedies, and this is not allowed to detract from the film's gentle and happy approach.

Tags: Truffault, childhood