When Fall Is Coming

GoMovieReviews Rating: ★★★

Rated: M

Directed by: François Ozon

Screenplay Written by: François Ozon

With the Collaboration of: Philippe Piazzo

Starring: Hélène Vincent, Josiane Balasko, Ludivine Sagnier, Pierre Lottin, Garlan Erlos.

Viewed in French with English subtitles.

‘Everyone deserves a second chance.’

When Fall Is Coming is a film of subtleties.

Opening to a church bell pealing as Michelle (Hélène Vincent) walks up the stone steps, the priest talks of Mary Magdalene.  A sinner who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears.  For that love he forgave Mary of her sins.

Piano plays as Michelle forages in her vegie patch.  Thunder rolls.  Rain falls.  Her daughter comes to visit.

Set in countryside France, Burgandy, Michelle, doesn’t miss Paris at all.

She has the trees and birds; and her best friend, Marie-Claude (Josiane Balasko) lives just over there.  Michelle points the house out to her grandson, Lucas (Malik Zidi).

Lucas is visiting with his mother, Valérie (Ludivine Sagnier) who’s struggling after her recent divorce.

It soon becomes clear that Valérie cannot forgive her mother’s past.

Michelle laments to her friend, Marie-Claude that she is only for giving Valérie money, with no thanks.

Marie-Claude’s son is in detention, about to be released.  And the two friends wonder at their failings to their children.

Valérie’s insolence is a stark contrast to Michelle’s love for her grandson.

So when Valérie becomes ill from eating wild mushrooms prepared by her mother, it’s up to the audience to piece together the hints of the film alluding to Michelle’s intention of poisoning or accident?

When Valérie recovers, she tells Michelle she can no longer trust her and she refuses to let Lucas, Michelle’s grandson, visit.

Director and screenwriter François Ozon (The Crime is Mine (2023), By the Grace of God (2018)) states, ‘When we cook wild mushrooms, are we not, more or less subconsciously, trying to get rid of someone? Starting with that question, I created a character who seems to be the epitome of a doting grandmother, but who might actually be a bit more sinister than outside appearances would suggest.’

Michelle’s love of children is shown when she comes across a young child in church, her face glows.  A hint of her desire, and what comes to pass in her life as what is once taken, is returned.  To leave a life fulfilled as a season turns one tragedy into a blessing.

The film’s a story of family dynamics.  Of a hidden past, and the quiet of everyday living circling what’s hidden so the future can be brighter than the past.

It’s a quiet film that meanders along a mystery of who Michelle is.  It’s a story of darkness and light.  Like a contemplation that faces a truth without speaking out the meaning.

It wasn’t until the second half of the film that I became absorbed into the life of Michelle.  Then I was left with questions about some aspects yet enlightened about the meaning of the questions unanswered like a subconscious wish that comes true.

François Ozon explains, ‘Many things are left unsaid, or intentionally left to the audience’s imagination, so they can create their own story and interpret the characters’ behaviors in their own ways. Particularly when it comes to Michelle and Marie-Claude’s son Vincent, fresh out of prison, and of whom we only know that “he got into some trouble when he was younger.”’

You need to be in the mood for this one, as it’s a slow burner, family drama viewed with a dry look at a life filled with complication yet lived with a quiet acceptance.