Overview
A charming exploration of childhood and community during a summer filled with growth and discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- tender
- nostalgic
- lazy sunday
- family film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praise Truffaut’s tender, observant humanism, natural performances, and graceful balance of comic childhood episodes with serious social concerns.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story moves among Patrick, Julien, Bruno, Sylvie, teachers, parents, and other children in Thiers.
Small comic incidents, school routines, family exchanges, and community care coexist with poverty and abuse.
Patrick notices Martine, Bruno coaches friends on approaching girls, and puberty shapes the children's social world.
Teachers, parents, and other adults collectively give children skills, attention, and emotional support.
Films like Small Change, and why
The 400 Blows
warm, observational childhood ensemble drama balancing everyday comedy with difficult family circumstances
School of Rock
tender, humanist portrait of children and community life with comic episodes and social awareness
Stand by Me
nostalgic, bittersweet coming-of-age ensemble centered on children navigating friendship and adult problems
The Spirit of the Beehive
gentle European childhood drama using episodic storytelling, community relationships, and understated emotional insight
Movie Details
- Director
- François Truffaut
- Release Date
- 1976-03-17
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (170)
Cast
- Jean-François Stévenin
- Virginie Thévenet
- Chantal Mercier
- Tania Torrens
- Nicole Félix
- Philippe Goldman
- Bruno de Stabenrath
- Georges Desmouceaux
- René Barnerias
- Francis Devlaeminck
Common questions
- What is Small Change about?
- François Truffaut’s affectionate portrait of children finding mischief, friendship, and resilience amid the ordinary difficulties of small-town life.
- What is Small Change like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Small Change as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Small Change violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Small Change as mild.
- What did critics think of Small Change?
- Critics broadly praise Truffaut’s tender, observant humanism, natural performances, and graceful balance of comic childhood episodes with serious social concerns.
- Which films are like Small Change?
- Films with a similar feel include The 400 Blows, School of Rock, Stand by Me, and The Spirit of the Beehive.
- How long is Small Change?
- Small Change runs 104 minutes.
