A rowdy foul-mouthed Parisian orphan (Jean Scandel as Paul) is taken in by a charitable domestic (Valérie Karsenti as Célestine) and set loose on a forested estate one mischievous informative Summer.
Her husband's (Eric Elmosnino as Borel) tasked with managing the grounds and is less enamoured with the boy.
Trespassing is forbidden, and the existence of such wilds within a heavily populated realm tempts landless neighbours to secretively venture forth.
Since little Paul is free to scan and survey his new domain he meets a colourful cast of characters, their ingenuity providing him with playful imaginative recourse, cautiously balanced with the legal lay of the land.
Borel haplessly enforces while feisty Totoche (François Cluzet) outwits through innovation, his clever tricks ensuring modest plunder, cheeky testaments to individualistic invention.
Totoche and Paul forge an undefined team of sorts which excels at living freely, the bachelor and the orphan symbiotically coexisting within natural frontiers, amiable enough to avoid suspicion and crafty enough to brew memorable batches, good times generating familial emotions, cascading in hearty arrears.
A magical tale as realistic as it is fancy free.
Like Dickensian Thoreau subtly blended with Disney.
Friendships made.
L'école buissonnière.
Lighthearted and adventurous yet aware of rules and structure, Buissonnière presents mature mischief to cultivate austere lands.
Independent communities matched with age-old traditions, a public slowly materializes on the respectful inclusive horizon.
Some characters have much larger roles than others, and at times I thought it would have benefitted from more integration.
I wanted more gypsy.
But if you're in the mood for a heartwarming look at innocence emancipated, and wildlife left free to roam, L'école buissonnière offers a family friendly escape into vivacious inchoate wonder, toning down the menace, to focus intently on creativity.
Change.
I hope the forest persisted.
Extant forests must be like spiritual diamond mines in Europe, without the pollution.
Whatever Claire Denis.
Whatever!
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