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New Movies: When Fall is Coming (2024) by François Ozon: An Autumnal Tale of Family Secrets and Forgiveness

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Jul 19
  • 10 min read

Core Summary: Quiet Retirement, Unquiet Past

When Fall is Coming (Quand vient l'automne) (2024) by prolific French director François Ozon is a dramatic thriller with elements of black comedy that delves into family dynamics, guilt, and the complex nature of aging. Set in a tranquil Burgundy village, the film centers on Michelle, a seemingly respectable grandmother whose peaceful retirement is disrupted by the visit of her estranged daughter and grandson, unearthing long-buried family secrets and leading to unexpected, darkly humorous, and morally ambiguous events that challenge perceptions of good and evil.

Detailed Summary: A Grandmother's Complicated Love

François Ozon's latest film, When Fall is Coming, showcases his signature blend of suspense, character study, and exploration of human perversities. The narrative revolves around Michelle, an octogenarian living a quiet, seemingly idyllic life in the French countryside, devoted to her garden and her best friend, Marie-Claude.

  • The arrival of Michelle's Parisian daughter, Valérie, who drops off her son Lucas for a week-long visit, immediately introduces tension. Valérie harbors deep-seated resentment towards her mother, stemming from Michelle's past as a prostitute and the perceived sacrifices.

  • A seemingly innocent mushroom dish prepared by Michelle for Valérie leads to a critical incident, causing Valérie to fall ill and abruptly take Lucas away, leaving Michelle heartbroken and spiraling into depression.

  • As Michelle grapples with loneliness, Marie-Claude's son, Vincent, is released from prison for an unspecified crime. Michelle offers him work around her house, and a complex bond forms between them, reminiscent of a mother-son relationship. Vincent, though morally ambiguous, sympathizes with Michelle's pain over her estranged grandson.

  • The film gradually reveals the depth of Michelle's past and her pragmatic, sometimes ruthless, nature. Ozon crafts an intricate "puzzle criminal" (Télérama) where intentions and culpability are deliberately ambiguous.

  • The story subtly explores themes of forgiveness, judgment, and the lengths a person might go to protect those they love or reclaim lost happiness, leading to a climax that is both tender and unsettling, and a conclusion that is ambiguous, leaving viewers to ponder the true nature of the events.

Plot Summary: Secrets Bloom in the Burgundy Autumn

The film introduces Michelle, a seemingly content grandmother enjoying her retirement in rural Burgundy, sharing a close bond with her best friend Marie-Claude. Her tranquility is disturbed when her daughter, Valérie, arrives from Paris to drop off her son, Lucas, for a school holiday.

  • Family Discord: Valérie’s visit is marked by palpable tension and bitterness. She carries deep resentment towards Michelle, rooted in her mother’s past profession as a sex worker and the perceived impact it had on her own childhood.

  • The Mushroom Incident: During Valérie's stay, Michelle prepares a mushroom dish that leads to Valérie becoming severely ill. Convinced her mother poisoned her, Valérie abruptly departs, taking Lucas with her, which plunges Michelle into deep sadness and isolation.

  • A New Alliance: Michelle's despair is interrupted by the release from prison of Marie-Claude’s son, Vincent. Michelle offers him work and financial assistance, leading to a developing, unconventional bond. Vincent, a morally gray character, forms a filial connection with Michelle, who, in turn, finds solace and a renewed sense of purpose.

  • Unveiling the Past and Present: The narrative subtly unveils Michelle's own complex past and her fierce, often amoral, pragmatism. The film weaves in elements of a thriller as suspicions arise regarding the "accident" with Valérie.

  • Calculated Actions and Ambiguous Outcomes: Michelle, driven by a desire to reconnect with Lucas and perhaps to settle old scores, engages Vincent in a series of "dirty jobs." This culminates in Valérie's ultimate demise, which Michelle covers up by providing Vincent with an alibi. The film ends with Michelle finding a form of peace with Lucas back in her life, having navigated a morally ambiguous path where the lines between love, sacrifice, and crime are blurred.

Director's Vision: Ozon's Signature Blend of Domesticity and Darkness

François Ozon, known for his prolific and eclectic filmography, brings his characteristic blend of domestic drama, psychological thriller, and dark humor to When Fall is Coming. His vision is evident in:

  • Chabrolian Nuances: Critics have noted a "Chabrolian" influence (SensCritique, Always Good Movies), with Ozon exploring bourgeois secrets and underlying tensions in a seemingly tranquil provincial setting.

  • Ambiguity and Moral Complexity: Ozon deliberately avoids over-explanation, thriving on doubt and ambiguity, and inviting the audience to interpret the characters' motivations and actions, especially concerning Michelle's morality.

  • Focus on Atypical Heroines: The film centers on complex, often flawed female protagonists, a recurring motif in Ozon's work, allowing for deep dives into their inner lives and resilience.

  • Subtle Pacing and Observation: The film unfolds in a "slow-burn fashion" (Always Good Movies), emphasizing "small moments and subtle gestures" and closely observing human behavior and emotions with a "profound quietude" (Always Good Movies).

  • Rich Visuals: Despite the dark themes, Ozon bathes the film in "cosy, environmental warmth" (Cineuropa), with gorgeous shots of the Burgundy countryside and a color palette that subtly belies the underlying tensions.

Themes: Guilt, Forgiveness, and Familial Bond

When Fall is Coming explores several complex themes, typical of François Ozon's work:

  • Intergenerational Trauma and Guilt: The film deeply examines the lingering effects of past decisions (Michelle's former profession) on present relationships, particularly the deep-seated resentment Valérie holds towards her mother.

  • The Nature of Forgiveness: It questions the possibility and limits of forgiveness, especially within strained family ties, and how unresolved grievances can fester.

  • Aging and Solitude: Michelle's experience highlights the challenges of old age, including loneliness and the desire for continued purpose and connection, even at a moral cost.

  • Justice and Morality: The film plays with notions of right and wrong, presenting characters who act on ambiguous moral grounds, forcing the audience to consider their own judgments on crime, love, and protection.

  • Family Secrets and Lies: Like many of Ozon's films, it delves into the hidden truths that bind and break families, and the intricate web of deception that can exist beneath a calm surface.

  • Mother-Child Relationships: It offers a multi-faceted portrayal of maternal love, its complexities, and the often-fraught dynamics between mothers and their adult children.

Key Success Factors: Hélène Vincent's Performance and Ozon's Direction

The success of When Fall is Coming hinges on its artistic merits and the compelling performances of its cast.

  • Hélène Vincent's Lead Performance: Critics universally praise Hélène Vincent's "remarkable performance" (Always Good Movies) as Michelle, calling it "compelling, nuanced" (Arts Fuse) and "quietly powerful" (Boston Hassle), capturing her complexity and ambiguity with striking precision.

  • François Ozon's Craft: The film is lauded as a "rock-solid demonstration of his control over storytelling, technique and ability to get the best from actors" (Metacritic/Leslie Felperin), marking it as one of his stronger works in recent years for many critics.

  • Intriguing Screenplay: The script by Ozon and Philippe Piazzo received the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, indicating its strength in crafting a layered and ambiguous narrative.

  • Genre Blending: Its skillful combination of domestic drama, thriller, and dark comedy elements provides a rich and unpredictable viewing experience, appealing to audiences who enjoy films that defy easy categorization.

  • Ensemble Cast: Beyond the lead, supporting performances from Josiane Balasko, Ludivine Sagnier, and Pierre Lottin are noted for bringing unique elements to the story, contributing to its engrossing nature.

Awards and Nominations: Festival and Industry Recognition

When Fall is Coming has received significant recognition, particularly at major film festivals and for its acting and screenplay:

  • San Sebastián International Film Festival 2024:

    • Winner: Jury Prize for Best Screenplay (François Ozon & Philippe Piazzo)

    • Winner: Silver Shell for Best Supporting Actor (Pierre Lottin)

  • César Awards 2025 (Nominations):

    • Best Actress (Hélène Vincent)

  • Lumière Awards 2025 (Nominations):

    • Best Actress (Hélène Vincent)

    • Best Director (François Ozon)

    • Best Male Revelation (Pierre Lottin)

    • Best Screenplay

The film also premiered and screened at other prestigious festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, FIFF Namur, and Tromsø International Film Festival.

Critics Reception: Praised for Subtlety, Divided on Pacing

When Fall is Coming has received a generally positive to mixed reception from critics, with particular praise for its lead performance and Ozon's mature direction.

  • Metacritic: The film holds a Metascore of 74 out of 100 based on 11 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews." (Source: Metacritic.com)

  • General Critical Consensus (from sources like Screen Daily, RogerEbert.com, Boston Hassle, Cineuropa, The Arts Fuse):

    • Positive Aspects: Many critics lauded Hélène Vincent's central performance as "terrific" (Screen Daily), "remarkable" (Always Good Movies), and "quietly powerful" (Boston Hassle). The film was praised as "Ozon in his fine-wine register" (Screen Daily), showcasing his "control over storytelling, technique and ability to get the best from actors" (Metacritic/Leslie Felperin). Reviewers noted its "deceptively intricate little puzzle of a film" (Boston Hassle) and "habile puzzle criminel" (Télérama), appreciating its subtle blend of drama and thriller elements. Its "gorgeously shot" French countryside locations and "cosy, environmental warmth" were also frequently highlighted (Boston Hassle, Cineuropa).

    • Mixed Aspects: Some critics found its pacing "sometimes offputtingly even" (Cineuropa), and felt that the film "can be a bit too muddled to bring its main character fully into focus" (Slant Magazine). There were observations that Ozon "always opts for the easy, often crowd-pleasing solution rather than to have things become too dark or alienating" (Little White Lies), preventing it from fully plumbing its ethically thorny terrain. Other critiques noted a sense of "disappointment" from some who expected more suspense given Ozon's previous thrillers (SensCritique/Behind_the_Mask).

Reviews: Engaging but Unresolved Human Complexity

Audience and critical reviews from various film publications and online platforms indicate that When Fall is Coming is a film that generates discussion due to its unconventional and morally ambiguous nature.

  • Engaging Complexity: Reviewers often found the film to be a "deeply satisfying watch" (Always Good Movies) that "sticks in your mind" (Boston Hassle), prompting viewers to reconsider events and interpretations. The "deliberate pacing" and "adherence to ambiguity" were seen by some as increasing suspense and tension in a "delicious way" (Sarah G. Vincent Views).

  • Divisive Interpretations: The film's "unresolved subject matter" (Cineuropa) and the questions it leaves unanswered about culpability and character motivations led to varied interpretations. While some appreciated this open-endedness, finding it a film one "practically has to write another film in your imagination" (The Arts Fuse), others might have preferred a more definitive conclusion.

  • Emotional Nuance vs. Directness: Reviewers frequently commented on the film's success in portraying "warmth and pain" through "performances that radiate" (Always Good Movies), and its ability to film "the intimate in its most intense complexities" (Cinéfranco). However, its "minor-keyed" approach meant it wasn't always an emotionally straightforward watch.

Box Office: Modest French Succes

When Fall is Coming, being a French art-house drama, had a modest but respectable box office performance primarily within France.

  • The film cumulated 674,174 admissions (entrées) in France over its initial two months of exploitation. (Source: Wikipedia France)

  • Its worldwide box office is reported as $6.7 million. (Source: Various film databases like Unifrance)

These figures indicate a solid performance for an independent French film, but it did not have a wide commercial release typical of blockbuster films.

Release Date on Streaming: Available on VOD in France

When Fall is Coming is available for video on demand (VOD) in France.

  • It became available on VOD starting January 22, 2025. (Source: September Film, Unifrance)

  • Platforms offering it for rent or purchase include Canal+, Google Play Movies, Filmo, YouTube, Rakuten TV, Apple TV, Amazon Video, Canal VOD, UniversCiné, Viva by Videofutur, and Première Max. (Source: Unifrance)

  • International streaming availability would depend on specific distribution deals in other territories.

Theatrical Release: French Premiere and Festival Circuit

When Fall is Coming had its theatrical debut in France and a significant run on the international film festival circuit.

  • French Theatrical Release: October 2, 2024 (France). (Source: Diaphana Distribution, Unifrance)

  • International Premiere: World premiere as part of the Official Selection at the San Sebastián International Film Festival 2024 (September 2024).

  • Other Festival Screenings: The film also screened at the BFI London Film Festival 2024 and was the closing film at FIFF Namur. (Source: Film Fest Report, MUBI)

  • Other European Releases: Spanish release on December 13, 2024. (Source: LAZONA Pictures)

Why to Watch This Movie: A Masterful Character Study

When Fall is Coming offers a compelling viewing experience for those drawn to sophisticated character studies, psychological dramas, and the work of François Ozon:

  • Hélène Vincent's Masterful Performance: Her portrayal of Michelle is consistently highlighted as a career best, offering a nuanced and deeply human look at an aging woman grappling with her past and present.

  • Ozon's Signature Style: Fans of Ozon's eclectic filmography will appreciate his characteristic blend of domestic intimacy, psychological suspense, and moral ambiguity, presented with elegant, almost painterly cinematography.

  • Thought-Provoking Narrative: The film delves into complex themes of family secrets, guilt, the limits of forgiveness, and the lengths people go to for love, prompting viewers to reflect on their own judgments.

  • Intriguing Mystery: While not a conventional thriller, it masterfully builds suspense around its central enigma, keeping the audience engaged in piecing together Michelle's true nature and the events that unfold.

  • Rich Atmospheric Setting: The beautiful Burgundy countryside provides a picturesque yet subtly unsettling backdrop, enhancing the film's autumnal mood and thematic depth.

What Movie Trend Film is Following: The Art of Quiet Unraveling

When Fall is Coming aligns with the trend of psychological dramas that explore quiet domestic unraveling, often with a subtle, underlying sense of menace or unresolved trauma. This trend, often seen in European art-house cinema, focuses on:

  • Character-Driven Narratives: Prioritizing deep dives into the psychological states and moral ambiguities of individuals over plot-heavy action.

  • Subtle Suspense: Building tension through unspoken resentments, hidden pasts, and ambiguous events rather than overt thrills.

  • Exploration of Family Dysfunction: Unflinchingly examining the complex and often painful dynamics within families, especially across generations.

  • Maturity and Aging: A growing sub-trend focusing on older protagonists and their unique challenges, desires, and reflections on life.

  • Social Commentary through Intimacy: Using personal narratives to subtly comment on broader societal norms, judgment, and the nature of "respectability."

What Big Social Trend is Following: Reckoning with Generational Divides and Past Sins

When Fall is Coming taps into the broader social trend of families grappling with intergenerational divides and the reckoning with past actions. In contemporary society, there's an increasing emphasis on confronting historical traumas and personal accountability, leading to complex discussions within families. The film reflects:

  • The Weight of the Past: How personal histories, especially those deemed unconventional or controversial, continue to exert influence on present relationships and well-being.

  • Differing Perspectives on Sacrifice: The clash between generations regarding past choices and the sacrifices made, and the struggle to understand or forgive.

  • Aging in Society: The societal conversation around supporting and understanding the elderly, acknowledging their autonomy and often complex inner lives beyond traditional stereotypes.

  • Secrets and Transparency: The modern tension between maintaining family secrets for protection and the desire for transparency and honesty to heal old wounds.

Final Verdict: A Poignant and Provocative Autumnal Harvest

When Fall is Coming (2024) is a poignant and provocative addition to François Ozon's celebrated filmography. Anchored by a stunning central performance from Hélène Vincent, it's a meticulously crafted drama that blends domestic intimacy with the quiet unease of a psychological thriller. The film masterfully navigates themes of family dysfunction, unforgiven pasts, and the complex nature of aging, all set against the picturesque but subtly foreboding backdrop of a Burgundy autumn. While its deliberate pace and moral ambiguities might not appeal to all, it offers a deeply human and thought-provoking exploration that resonates long after the credits roll, cementing its place as a significant art-house release of 2024.


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