One of my all time favorites.

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

A brave teacher in charge of a preschool located in a depressed area, is at the center of this wonderful story of perseverance and courage. Daniel, is a selfless man that must fight constantly in order to get a meager help from the local authorities that instead of providing for his young charges, take away most of the assistance to the school, a demoralizing situation which Daniel must confront head on.The area in which the school is located was a big center for mining. The mines are long gone, but for people like Daniel's father, now living permanently with respiratory problems, it is hard to survive when even jobs have moved elsewhere. Daniel is more interested in the welfare of the families, some living without heat in their homes, having seen their electricity cut off. Daniel is an eternal optimist which shows in his work with the small kids in his care.Daniel is involved romantically with Valeria, an sculptor, with a small boy from a former relationship. Remi, the boy, has all the makings he will fall into gangs that have nothing better than vandalize the school, only to derail what Daniel has fought for with his teaching staff. Fortunately, he gets help from a social worker, Samia, who joints forces with Daniel fighting the bureaucracy.Bernard Tavernier, working on the screenplay with his daughter Tiffany, and Domenique Sampiero, created the right atmosphere in which to frame this story that rings so true and speaks volumes about the crisis most depressed areas have to deal with, not only in France, but in Europe, as well. The film is uplifting because in Daniel one sees an individual who will not hesitate to give his best in nurturing these vulnerable little minds adapt to the world around them. The story is told with realism, showing at the same time the evils in a society where despair takes hold of the people whose lives have changed forever.In Philippe Torreton, the director found a credible actor who shows an intelligence that surprises in his approach of playing Daniel. The actor impresses for his passionate approach to the role. Mr. Torreton has worked with Mr. Tavernier before, showing at ease with what the director wanted of him. The lovely Maria Pitarresi appears as Daniel's love interest, Valeria, and Nadia Kaci plays Samia.

IT ALL STARTS TODAY (dir. Betrand Tavernier) has the look and feel of an actual documentary, and the film delineates the trials and tribulations of the director of an impoverished municipal kindergarten in rural France. With almost no parental or government support, he and his teachers try to make a positive difference in the community against almost insurmountable odds. The film is a heartfelt and poignant Call To Arms for a better and more effective strategy for the social service sector of the French economy. The Populist appeal of IT ALL STARTS TODAY is very reminiscent of the English director, Ken Loach. IT ALL STARTS TODAY is easily one of the finer films about primary education ever made.

I wouldn't want to spoil the party so, yes, this film is an important look at the serious social problems inherent in France and the lack of ability and care of the authorities to do anything about it. Yes, it is hard hitting. Yes, the camera work is exceptionally beautiful and masterfully handled.But, I can't seem to get rid of the weird feeling I get when a (approx.) two hour film tries to condense so many problems into such a short time. The dialogue becomes self righteous and totally unbelievable. Also, the characters were unbelievable either. The main character is conveyed as an almost angelic do-gooder who can do no harm. His partner, as well, is dissappointing - it is just too obvious to take a georgous wild sculptress to help decorate the film. A friend suggested to me that the partner's one dimensional role suggests sexually discriminatory undertones.

French realism must be the worst film category anyone has come up with so far. But this is a far too important and well done movie to give a bad review. It is a good movie, but it is rather boring and all it does is to say that France sucks and I have gotten the point many movies ago. I sure hope someone will save France soon so they can make some entertaining and happy movies. - 6/10