A Magnificent Life
Seen it?2025 | 91 min | Animation, History, Drama
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With a box office loss and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for animation lovers and history buffs. If you loved Loving Vincent, start here.
- The mood
- Feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 31 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
In 1955, 60-year-old Marcel Pagnol is a well-known and acclaimed playwright and filmmaker. When the editor-in-chief of ELLE magazine commissions a weekly column about Pagnol's childhood, he sees this as a great opportunity to go back to his artistic roots: writing. Realizing his memory is failing him and deeply affected by the disappointing results of his last two plays, Pagnol starts doubting his ability to pursue his work. That is until Little Marcel - the young boy he used to be - appears to him as if by magic. Together, they will explore Marcel Pagnol's incredible life and bring back to life his most cherished encounters and memories...
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
60% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
0 wins and 5 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$1 million worldwide on a $15 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 65K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Sylvain Chomet
- Laurent LafitteMarcel Pagnol (Adult) (voice)
- Géraldine PailhasAugustine Pagnol (voice)
- Thierry GarciaRaimu (voice)
- Olivia GotanègreJacqueline Pagnol (voice)
- Sophie MaréchalSimone Pagnol (voice)
- Vincent FernandelFernandel (voice)
- Noa StaesPagnol Child (voice)
- Martin MeersmanPupil 1: Class 1922 (voice)
- Lohen van HoutteÉlève Classe / Coursier (voice)
- Elodie BarthelsPasserby (voice)