Sotto le foglie

Well, François Ozon has done it again: a true masterpiece. A beautiful film about deep human feelings and insights. Only Frantz was perhaps a bit better of all the works of Ozon, of wnom I have seen a lot of movies.

This is the second best movie I have seen so far in 2024, at the cinema, the only place where one can appreciate a movie, just behind 'Le Royaume'. After 'Quand vient l'automne' is 'Goodbye Julia' on number 3, followed by 'Winter Break / The Holdovers', 'C'è ancora domani', 'Past Lives', 'Lee', 'Io Capitano' and 'Radical'.

The story telling of 'Quand vient l'automne' is mesmerizing and so well written. The use of automn colours brings so much power and strength to the movie A must watch!

"Michelle" (Hélène Vincent) lives a solitary life in her rural home where she is eagerly anticipating the imminent arrival of her daughter "Valérie" (Ludvine Sagnier) and the apple of her eye, grandson "Lucas" (Garlan Erlos who morphs, uncannily, into the older Paul Beaurepaire). In preparation for this visit, she goes with best friend "Marie-Claude" (Josiane Balasko) to pick mushrooms. This latter lady has problems of her own, with her son "Vincent" (Pierre Lottin) currently incarcerated for a crime we know little about. Anyway, when the family arrive it becomes clear that the mother/daughter relationship isn't that great - a situation borne from how "Michelle" made her living and of her daughter's impending divorce and that only worsens when a dodgy mushroom leaves one in hospital and "Michelle" essentially barred from seeing "Lucas". Meanwhile, "Vincent" gets out of jail so "Michelle" kindly gives him a job managing her extensive garden and that's when he overhears a conversation between the two women that demonstrates the level of frustrating despair felt by the now estranged grandmother. He decides to see if he can help, with tragic results that end up - well is it a whodunnit or is not? Is it an intricate web of considered scheming or just an accident and some coincidences? It's that element of uncertainty, coupled with strong performances from just about everyone than makes this story worth watching. There are questions asked that aren't directly answered, we are encouraged to conclude or assume but given some quite conflicting clues to keep us interested and by the conclusion of the film there's even the vaguest hint of a winking bromance! The photography and the audio mixing are gently effective and the film, though at times a little repetitive, delivers us a poignant look at loneliness, stigma, loyalty and love.

An ordinary film.

There's no wow factor in this movie at all. It's plain and simple, nothing more nothing less. It's straightforward in the way it tells a story and the story itself is nothing deep nor unique. The acting isn't too bad and does make the film a bit more engaging. The main aspect of the movie that carried it entirely is the cinematography, the scenes are beautifully rendered and balanced to create this almost welcoming, engulfing atmosphere. Every scene is a pleasure to the eye and focuses on every little detail to make it as realistic and genuine as possible. Overall a decent film, nothing special.

A grandma is hated by her daughter. When a small reunion with her daughter and her grandson turned into an incident, all things within the small family turns upside down and complicated.

I personally had not watched any Ozon films BUT I always hear great things about him. He is not that famous across the pond BUT from what I gather from French redditors - he is one of the most respected French Directors living right now. I personally had not watch a film of his since none really piqued my curiosity but this film was a nice surprise.

Firstly, the first half is too unsubtle. Its so on the nose with all the vitriol that it kind of grates AND truly made it expected that there is something that will happen.

But when it did happen, it really took speed on the pedal.

The twist and turns in the later 2/3 of the film is so well calibrated AND while very convoluted makes such a wonderful AND heartwarming film. A lovely choice to make the score whimsical score given how insane and mysterious the twist and turns the film will go. It really set this semi-serious tone. It really took time to peak up BUT it stayed there.

I think I will seek his work. While the script has its problem, He seems like a great technician. The last half of this film is great and tight - though very convoluted. I definitely think he has better films in his repertoire.

Recommended.

PS: QCinema Issue#2 - The initial video has a weird discoloration and had to be replayed within 4-5 minutes in. My Initial screening of Ghost Cat, Anzu was cancelled AND that was flaring me up. Tomorrow, there will be a typhoon AND its not getting better for me LOL.

PPS: The main actor was a former comedian lol. But the French reviews are very concerned who is the gay one, isn't it him? He was the one staying out of dark parks AND has not married. Lol.

I just watched this movie in Paris, and I was blown away how good is the story and how well written it is. I read that the movie won a couple of awards in San Sebastián festival and I was very curious. The film is a drama with a very dark side but at the same time with plenty of sense of humor all over. The cast is magnificent: all of them play so incredible real. Helene Vincent et Josiane Balasko deserve all the awards without forgetting Pierre Lottin, he's just amazing as the felonious son of hers. Without telling too much, the story depicts a kind of characters very rare to find in any movie. I loved how the movie surprises you with some very unexpected turns. I watched most of the films of Francois Ozon, and this one is probably one of his best works. A must watch!