Cannes Review: Sylvain Chomet’s A Magnificent Life is a Sweet Homage to Marcel Pagnol.

      It's typical for a successful artist to be asked what advice they would give their younger self; however, one film from this year’s Cannes Specials selection takes a different approach. In Sylvain Chomet’s animated feature A Magnificent Life, we find French playwright, filmmaker, and inventor Marcel Pagnol at the age of 61, close to giving up on his career, when a younger version of himself appears to help. Tasked with writing a memoir column for Elle magazine, Pagnol finds himself unable to proceed without the assistance of hope and optimism embodied by his younger self.

      Chomet is known for creating two significant animated films of the 21st century, The Triplets of Belleville and The Illusionist, both of which are stylistically and narratively bold, generating excitement for this biopic that celebrates a beloved French creator. Although the original plan was to make a straightforward documentary, the animated sequences that replaced missing archival footage made a strong impression on producers and financiers. An unexpected success story, the project was initiated and supported by Marcel Pagnol’s grandson, Nicolas. The opening title card states: “a true story.”

      Chomet and his team employ magical, comedic, and innovative formal techniques to depict the dialogue between Pagnol and his younger self. Initially, young Marcel appears ghostly, blending into the background, as his goal is to “bring” the older Pagnol “back” into his past, urging him to engage more deeply. Eventually, the young boy takes action and orchestrates chance encounters that seem miraculous to his older counterpart. Pagnol’s own writings (including My Mother’s Castle and My Father’s Glory) reflect much of his childhood, but newcomers to his life and work may be surprised by the tragedy and loss that marked it. As a child, he experiences the death of his mother; his father remains distant; his wife leaves him when he moves to Paris; he faces rejections and ridicule that deeply affect him; friends and colleagues succumb to illness, old age, and war. Nevertheless, Marcel Pagnol remains captivated by the marvels of art, holding true to his mother's advice that life is not merely a tragedy.

      Like many biopics, A Magnificent Life honors its subject, but it particularly portrays Pagnol as a man of his time, embracing cinema while many of his theatrical peers were hesitant. The film's latter half chronologically and thematically focuses on cinema and Pagnol's love for film, detailing his collaborations with Hollywood and Paramount Studios in a straightforward, likely truthful manner. At this juncture, the fantasy-like elements of the narrative give way to discussions about the serious business of filmmaking, including its pleasures and stresses. As a bonus, clips from some of Pagnol’s directed films appear amidst the animated scenes as live-action snippets on television.

      A Magnificent Life undoubtedly celebrates Pagnol as a visionary, intentionally excluding any potential criticisms, such as those regarding the numerous actresses he had relationships with throughout his life. The animation does showcase some (if not all) of these women, affirming its authenticity. Ultimately, Chomet’s film is an enlightening and educational piece of work, beautifully crafted and illustrated; its availability in both French and English will likely broaden its audience. Most notably, it stands independently, providing a great entry point for viewers wanting to learn about Pagnol without requiring any prior knowledge.

      A Magnificent Life debuted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and will be distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.