Cinema Revisited: Small Change (1976)

Directed by Francois Truffaut. Starring Philippe Goldmann, Nicole Félix, Bruno Staab, Jean-François Stévenin, Geory Desmouceaux, Sylvie Grezel, Chantal Mercier. Released March 17, 1976. Running time: 105 minutes.

original French title: L'Argent de poche

Since filming his masterpiece, "The 400 Blows" in 1959, Francois Truffaut had been collecting anecdotes from youngsters for use in a future project. The result was "Small Change," which is also one of his finest.

Casting the film with children who were not professional actors (many of whom never made another movie), Truffaut was able to create a natural feel to his exploring their lives. Filmed in Thiers, France, the movie examines a variety of different perspectives from the various children, documenting both their struggles and their triumphs. Boys look through binoculars at a woman undressing in her window. An abused boy refuses to undress at school for the medical checkup so as not to reveal his bruises. One boy has a crush on what seems to be the only girl their age in the area. Another has a crush on his attractive female teacher. Truffaut effectively balances the heartwarming innocence with the heartbreaking sadness.

While all of the children resonate effectively especially because of their genuineness, the film's brilliance is due to the filmmaker. Truffaut conveys the stagnation of the dull school classroom and concludes it with the euphoria of the final bell ringing to go home. He terrifies us with a toddler playing on a window ledge with a pet cat. He shows a girl who is grounded as punishment, taking a megaphone and announcing out her window that she has been abandoned and his hungry -- several food donations arrive promptly.

There is no real plot to "Small Change," it is more loosely episodic. But the episodes ring true be they lighthearted or dark and serious. The beauty of the film is its ability to present each episode naturally and completely with conviction, understanding, and respect. Truffaut does not pander, he does not manipulate, he just presents and allows his subjects to be the film's auteurs. Perhaps young Julien, the abused child, is the anchor of the film. He is shown roaming the streets alone at night, falling asleep in class due to not having slept the night before. He is always wearing the same clothes, has smudges on his face, his hair is long, bushy and unkempt.

The film ends with a teacher stating the following (translated): "Of all mankind's injustices, injustice to children is the most despicable! Life isn't always fair, but we can fight for justice. If kids had the right to vote, they would have better schools. Life isn't easy. You must steel yourselves to face it. I don't mean "hard-boiled." I am talking about endurance and resilience. Time flies. Before long, you will have children of your own. If you love them, they will love you. If they don't feel you love them, they will transfer their love and tenderness to other people. Or to things. That's life! Each of us needs to be loved!"

While much has been made of this soliloquy, to this reviewer it seems just a tad too pat. Everything in the movie to this point seemed so genuine, this speech, used to culminate the proceedings, seems more like a movie, like an act, like dialog. Of course it is. But since the episodes up to this point were so natural, the prepared recitation is jarring.

"Small Change" enjoyed international critical acclaim and success upon its release in 1976. It has lived on as a classic of the French new wave cinema, and is also among Francois Truffaut's best.