Little Chenier: A Cajun Story

Interesting story behind the watching of this film – my mother, who is an excellent mom, really wanted all of us kids to come and watch this with her. So we started it Mother’s Day evening after a day of gifts, food, cards, and board games. We got halfway through and had to postpone due to the late hour and how we both had to work early on Monday morning. Two nights later we went back and finished the film. To be honest, I expected it to be a rough one to sit through, not because of my mother’s tastes, but from what I read about it. She reassured that it was a great film that really shows how people live down on the bayou.

Little Chenier: A Cajun Story Trailer Here

The story follows two brothers, a friend, a town’s sheriff, and a woman whom the lead man and sheriff both want for their wife. The brother is mentally handicapped and seems to keep his mouth open throughout the duration of the film. The first time we meet him it is a little offsetting. He really is acting very well, or is actually retarded in real life (sorry, I’m not very PC). During the film the handicapped brother gets into trouble which forces the sheriff, the antagonist, to step in and arrest and ultimately mistreat the boy. The older brother has to stick up and defend/rescue his brother. Then the story turns into a bit of a murder mystery in a way and there is a final confrontation that would compete with the mainstream dramas that are out there today.

The story for this film is good, but not the best thing about this picture by far. Without a doubt the reason to see this film is to experience what life is like down very South in the bayou. I kept waiting for John Fogerty to chime in with “Born On The Bayou” with his raspy voice, but my dream never came true. We spend 110 minutes with these people as they live out their day-to-day. It’s really quite fascinating too. They seem to live simpler lives and care for one another more/differently than we do up North.

Here’s another flick that missed the mainstream lights, but is definitely worthwhile to see. If nothing else you’ll have a new appreciation for the lifestyle these people have and the world in which they live in. Other bayou films off the top of my head: CAPE FEAR and US MARSHALS.

Rating: 8.5/10