La Fracture du myocarde (1990)
Directed by Jacques Fansten

Film Review

La Fracture du myocarde (or Cross My Heart) is one of the most beautiful films about friendship ever made for the screen.  It's a very unusual film and the basic plot will automatically make you think that it must be very heavy and depressing.  In fact, it's surprisingly light and humorous, without ever straying away from the point the story is trying to make about the beauty of having true friends who can back you up no matter what.

None of the child actors in this film was a professional.  They were all spotted by casting agents working for the film, at school during their lessons, and that might be the winning formula for the film.  These children are all so natural, there is nothing that seems rehearsed about them.  They are just children being children.

This film has an unusual origin.  It was made in 1990 for television only, but soon enough word of mouth made sure that the film finally saw a release in art house theatres all over the world.  It received many awards and was overall highly acclaimed.  Steven Spielberg fell in love with the film so much that in 1992 he bought the rights for a U.S. remake that, to this day, has not seen the light of day.  Hopefully Spielberg realised that this little film is like lightning in a bottle and that its magic cannot be repeated.

La Fracture du myocarde is a superior sort of family film. It's intelligent, touching and will remind all adults who watch it what it was like to be a child.  A remarkable little film that still does not get the sort of exposure it truly deserves.  If you speak fluent French, I could not recommend enough the recent French DVD release of this film.

Film Synopsis

Traumatised by the idea that he might be put into an orphanage, 12 year old Martin tries to hide the sudden death of his mother.  His friends, who soon find out about this terrible secret, decide to come to his aid.  Together they set up an elaborate funeral, using an old clock as a coffin.  Then they help Martin to find a way to conceal the death of his mother from the adults who are growing more suspicious every day.  They soon realise that children can only do so much...