Small Change

Small Change

Year: 1976

Runtime: 104 mins

Language: French

ComedyDrama

Set in the small French town of Thiers, the film presents a series of childhood vignettes: a boy discovers his attraction to girls, couples double‑date at the cinema, two brothers give a friend a haircut, one child endures an abusive home, a baby and a cat stare out an open window, a kid shares a dirty joke, and another boy develops a crush on his friend’s mother.

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Timeline & Setting – Small Change (1976)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Small Change (1976). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Summer 1976

The story takes place during the summer of 1976 in a small French town. The long sunny days frame school life, friendships, and the kids’ attempts to understand love and authority. The period allows the film to explore childhood innocence amidst adult failures and social realities.

Location

Thiers, France

The film unfolds in Thiers, a French town, during a hot summer. Much of the action centers on school days, neighborhood spaces, and the daily rhythms of family life. The setting emphasizes the everyday experiences, joys, and worries of children growing up in this community.

🏙️ Small Town 🎒 School life 🧭 Community life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:59

Main Characters – Small Change (1976)

Meet the key characters of Small Change (1976), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Patrick Desmouceaux (Georges Desmouceaux)

A motherless boy who begins to notice romantic feelings and seeks affection amid the rough edges of school and home life. He shows a mix of curiosity, vulnerability, and capacity for empathy as he navigates friendships and authority.

💔 Family 🧒 Childhood 💭 Yearning

Julien Leclou (Philippe Goldman)

Lives in poverty and endures physical abuse at home, which bleeds into his school life. He fights to stay awake in class and maintain dignity, while clinging to hope and moments of connection with friends.

🏚️ Poverty 🧒 Childhood 🩹 Abuse

Oscar (Sebastien Marc)

One of the group of children around Patrick and Julien, reflecting the everyday joys and worries of childhood in the neighborhood. He participates in the scenes that mix play, mischief, and moments of care among peers.

👦 Friendship 🧸 Play 🧒 Childhood

Mr. Richet (Jean-François Stévenin)

The schoolteacher who observes the children's world with attentive care and offers guidance. He embodies authority and compassion, highlighting the balance between discipline and understanding in a child’s life.

👨‍🏫 Teacher 🧭 Guidance

Nadine Riffle (Tania Torrens)

Laurent’s mother and a neighborhood hairdresser who appears as part of the children’s world. She represents parental figures and the adult presence that shapes the kids’ day-to-day experiences.

👩‍👧 Family 🗺️ Neighborhood

Laurent Riffle (Laurent Devlaeminck)

A friend within the group whose interactions mirror the shared challenges and small triumphs of childhood. He participates in the mix of school life, home life, and neighborhood play that defines the film.

👦 Neighborhood 🧡 Friendship

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:59

Major Themes – Small Change (1976)

Explore the central themes of Small Change (1976), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧸 Innocence & Vulnerability

The children’s world is filled with small adventures and blunt realities that test their simplicity. Accidents, moments of mischief, and first crushes reveal how fragile innocence can be. The film follows how these moments shape the kids’ sense of safety and belonging, even as adult issues intrude.

⚖️ Childhood Justice

The story highlights injustices faced by children, from home life to social systems. It contrasts adults’ decisions with children’s needs, underscoring calls for protection and rights. The ending’s message about child abuse and justice echoes the film’s plea for fair treatment and accountability.

🌱 Resilience & Growth

Despite hardship, the children learn to endure, adapt, and support one another. Their small victories—like surviving tough days at school or navigating complicated loyalties—point toward personal growth. The film closes with a conviction that love and resilience can guide them toward a better future.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:59

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with childhood vignettes like Small Change

Gentle, observational films built from small moments of growing up.If you liked the observational, vignette-style storytelling of Small Change, you'll find similar movies here. These films capture the small, significant moments of growing up, focusing on authenticity and emotional resonance over a conventional plot. Explore other tender and nostalgic stories about childhood.

nostalgicobservanttenderinnocentmelancholichopefulslice-of-life

Narrative Summary

The narrative structure is often episodic, presenting a series of interconnected or standalone vignettes that collectively build a full picture of a time, place, or group of characters. The journey is cumulative, focusing on emotional truth and character observation rather than plot-driven conflict.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared narrative approach of using vignettes to explore themes of childhood, their observational and often nostalgic tone, and their focus on capturing the small, resonant details of everyday life.

Movies about resilient childhood like Small Change

Stories where children face hardship but find hope and strength.Looking for more movies like Small Change that explore children facing adversity with resilience? These stories blend difficult themes like poverty or abuse with a core of hope and strength. Discover other bittersweet and emotionally moving films about the challenges and triumphs of growing up.

resilienthopefulmelancholictenderemotionalheartfeltcoming-of-age

Narrative Summary

The narrative often follows one or more children navigating a challenging environment. The conflict arises from external hardships, but the emotional arc is defined by the child's internal resilience, often culminating in a moment of support, escape, or realization that reinforces a cautiously hopeful outlook.

Why These Movies?

Movies here share a central theme of childhood resilience against adversity, a bittersweet tone that doesn't shy away from darkness but leans toward hope, and a medium emotional weight that feels authentic without being crushing.

Unlock the Full Story of Small Change

Don't stop at just watching — explore Small Change in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Small Change is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Small Change Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Small Change, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Small Change Summary

Small Change Timeline

Track the full timeline of Small Change with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Small Change Timeline

Small Change Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Small Change that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Small Change Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Small Change

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Small Change: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Small Change

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