New Trailers: Leave One Day (2025) by Amélie Bonnin

"Leave One Day (2025)": Amélie Bonnin's Musical Homecoming Opens Cannes

Amélie Bonnin's feature directorial debut, "Leave One Day (2025)," is a French musical dramedy that explores themes of return, family, and unexpected life changes. The film holds the notable distinction of being the opening film of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, a first for a debut feature by a female director. Starring Juliette Armanet and Bastien Bouillon, the movie weaves a contemporary story with musical numbers rooted in French pop classics, offering an emotional and culturally specific narrative.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35453969/

Link Review: https://deadline.com/2025/05/leave-one-day-review-cannes-opening-film-1236394893/

About movie: https://international.pathefilms.com/en/movies/leave-one-day/

Detailed Summary:

"Leave One Day" centers on Cécile, a successful Parisian chef in her early forties who is on the cusp of realizing her dream of opening her own restaurant. Her meticulously planned life is disrupted first by an unexpected pregnancy and then by the news of her father's illness, compelling her to return to her rural hometown in the Grand Est region of France. Back in the environment she sought to escape, Cécile grapples with her complicated relationship with her father, reconnects with her past, including her teenage almost-sweetheart Raphaël, and navigates the sudden shifts in her personal and professional aspirations. The film incorporates musical sequences featuring classic French pop songs, which serve to express the characters' inner emotions and add a layer of cultural nostalgia to the narrative. The movie is an expansion and gender-reversed adaptation of Bonnin's acclaimed 2021 short film "Bye Bye."

Plot Summary:

• Cécile, a thriving chef in Paris, is about to open her own restaurant when unexpected news arrives.

• She returns to her rural hometown due to a pregnancy and her father's health issues.

• Her return sparks encounters with figures from her past, including a former love interest.

• The film explores family dynamics, particularly the strained father-daughter relationship.

• Characters express their feelings through musical performances of French pop songs.

Director's Vision:

Amélie Bonnin's vision for "Leave One Day," an adaptation of her own short film, is deeply personal and rooted in her exploration of emotional landscapes within a specific cultural context. Adapting her own short film, she chose to center the narrative on a female protagonist to delve into themes related to a woman's journey, including motherhood and balancing career with personal life. Bonnin aimed to create an "organic musical" where songs are integrated naturally into the narrative to reflect how music is experienced in real life, tied to memories and significant emotional moments. She sought to capture the emotional simplicity and universal resonance found in local roots, while also exploring the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of communication across generations, particularly concerning a generation of men not taught to express their feelings.

Themes:

• Homecoming and Belonging: The film examines the complex feelings associated with returning to one's hometown and confronting the past, exploring themes of belonging and whether one can truly leave their origins behind.

• Family Dynamics: The strained but ultimately significant relationship between Cécile and her father is a central theme, highlighting intergenerational communication barriers and the potential for understanding and reconciliation.

• Unexpected Life Changes: The film delves into how unforeseen events, such as an unexpected pregnancy and parental illness, can force individuals to re-evaluate their priorities and life paths.

• Nostalgia, Memory, and Music: The use of classic French pop songs serves as a powerful tool to evoke nostalgia, explore memories, and provide emotional depth to the characters' experiences.

• Ambition vs. Personal Fulfillment: The film touches on the societal pressures and personal desires related to career success versus the unexpected paths life can take, particularly concerning family and personal happiness.

Key Success Factors:

• Emotional Authenticity: The film's ability to portray genuine human emotions and relatable family dynamics is crucial for connecting with audiences.

• Effective Integration of Musical Numbers: The success of the integrated musical numbers in enhancing the narrative and characters' emotions is key to the film's overall impact, particularly for international audiences who may not be familiar with the songs.

• Strong Lead Performances: The performances of the lead cast, especially Juliette Armanet and Bastien Bouillon, are vital in carrying the film's emotional weight and making the characters compelling.

• Cultural Specificity with Universal Appeal: While deeply rooted in French culture, the film's success internationally will depend on its ability to convey universal themes despite specific cultural references and musical choices.

Summary Short:

Amélie Bonnin's "Leave One Day," a French musical dramedy about a chef returning to her rural hometown due to unexpected life events, opened the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film explores family, nostalgia, and personal change through a story punctuated by French pop songs.

Awards and Nominations:

"Leave One Day" achieved a historic distinction by being selected as the opening film of the 78th Cannes Film Festival in 2025, marking the first time a debut feature by a female director has opened the prestigious festival. This selection itself is a major recognition of Amélie Bonnin's talent and the film's potential impact.

Critics Reception:

Early critical reception from the Cannes premiere offers a range of perspectives, with reviewers highlighting the film's emotional core and unique musical elements, while also discussing its cultural specificity and overall impact.

• Screen Daily: Described the film as a "crowd-pleasing musical of 'exceptionally Gallic' flavour," noting its emotional simplicity and the effective use of musical numbers. Suggested these might have limited nostalgic pull outside France and found the film "gently amusing" but potentially "largely forgotten a few days into the festival."

• Cineuropa: Hailed the film as a "staggering work of emotional simplicity, an organic musical whose local roots resonate universally." Praised Amélie Bonnin's direction for finding a "perfect balance" between melodrama and social comedy and for her "audacity, control, clarity and sincerity."

• TheWrap: Found the film a "Slight Musical" and "Most Forgettable Thing About Cannes Film Festival's Opening Night," describing it as a "slight character study" where the songs "don't exactly advance the plot."

• The Playlist: In a trailer reaction piece that included review snippets, noted the film's significance as a Cannes opener and highlighted the cast and the blend of romantic dramedy and musical elements with an eclectic soundtrack.

• Filmaffinity: Lists the film's genre and main cast but provides no detailed review summary from critics.

• Metacritic: Lists the film but does not have a Metascore or aggregated critic reviews yet as of the immediate post-premiere period.

Overall Critics Reception Summary:

Early critical consensus from the Cannes Film Festival premiere is varied. Many critics appreciated "Leave One Day" for its emotional sincerity, particularly in its portrayal of family dynamics and the protagonist's personal journey. The film's unique blend of musical elements, drawing on French pop classics, was noted as adding a distinct cultural flavor, which some found charming and effective, while others felt it might limit the film's resonance for non-French audiences. Amélie Bonnin's direction was generally praised for its emotional sensitivity and control. However, some reviews found the film to be slight in its narrative impact and felt the musical numbers did not always fully integrate or advance the plot.

Box Office:

"Leave One Day" was released theatrically in France on May 13, 2025, coinciding with its Cannes premiere. As it is just beginning its theatrical run, specific box office figures for its opening week are not yet available. Its commercial performance will depend on its reception in France and any subsequent international releases.

Production:

"Leave One Day" is a French feature film with a runtime of 94 minutes. It is a co-production involving several French production companies, including Les Films du Worso, Topshot Films, Pathé Films, France 3 Cinéma, and Logical Content Ventures. The film was shot in French and set in both Paris and the rural Grand Est region of France. It is an adaptation of Amélie Bonnin's successful short film "Bye Bye."

Production Companies:

• Les Films du Worso (France)

• Topshot Films (France)

• Pathé Films (France)

• France 3 Cinéma (France)

• Logical Content Ventures

Sales Companies:

• Pathé Films (France) is handling the international sales for the film.

Distribution Companies:

• Pathé (France) is the theatrical distributor in France.

• A-Z Films (Canada) is the distributor in Quebec.

Release Date on Streaming:

A streaming release date for "Leave One Day" on major platforms has not been announced. Its availability for streaming services will be determined by distribution agreements made after its initial theatrical run.

Theatrical Release:

"Leave One Day" had its world premiere as the opening film of the 78th Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2025. It also received a theatrical release in France on the same day. A theatrical release in Quebec, Canada, is scheduled for June 20, 2025.

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• A Historic Cannes Opening: As the first debut feature by a female director to open Cannes, the film holds a significant place in film history and represents a notable achievement for Amélie Bonnin.

• Emotional and Relatable Story: The film explores universal themes of family, homecoming, and navigating unexpected life changes with sincerity and depth, offering a potentially moving viewing experience.

• Unique Musical Elements: The integration of classic French pop songs provides a distinctive and emotionally resonant layer to the narrative, particularly appealing to those interested in French culture and music.

• Acclaimed Director's Debut: It's an opportunity to see the first feature film from Amélie Bonnin, whose short film work has already received significant recognition and acclaim (César Award).

Why to Watch Movie:

• Experience a Musical Dramedy: If you enjoy films that blend dramatic storytelling with musical elements to explore character and emotion.

• Discover Contemporary French Cinema: The film offers a glimpse into current trends in French filmmaking and storytelling, rooted in its cultural context.

• See Noteworthy Performances: The film features talented French actors in the lead roles, whose performances are noted in early reviews.

• Curiosity about a Prestigious Festival Opener: Watching the film selected to open one of the world's most prestigious film festivals can be a compelling reason.

What Movie Trend film is following:

The film fits within the trend of musical dramedies, utilizing music as a significant element to enhance emotional storytelling and character expression. It also follows the trend of filmmakers adapting their successful short films into feature-length projects, demonstrating a progression of their artistic vision and leveraging established concepts.

What Big Social Trend is following:

"Leave One Day" connects with broader social themes related to the complexities of returning to one's origins and navigating the tensions between traditional roots and modern aspirations. It touches on generational dynamics and the challenges of communication within families, reflecting contemporary concerns about identity, belonging, and the impact of unexpected life events on personal trajectories.

Final Verdict:

"Leave One Day (2025)" is a poignant and charming musical dramedy that marks a significant debut for director Amélie Bonnin. Its historic opening at Cannes underscores its artistic merit and potential impact. The film successfully blends a relatable story of homecoming and unexpected change with the evocative power of classic French pop music. While early reviews suggest its specific cultural context and musical choices may resonate most strongly with a French audience, the film's universal themes and heartfelt approach are likely to connect with viewers globally on an emotional level. Despite some mixed opinions on its overall narrative momentum from early reviews, it stands as a promising debut that highlights emotional authenticity and the unique possibilities of musical storytelling.

Recommendations for Filmmakers:

• Recognize the Potential of Short Films: View short films not just as standalone projects but as potential springboards for feature-length development, allowing you to refine your vision and themes and gain recognition.

• Infuse Storytelling with Cultural Specificity Authentically: Weaving in elements of your own culture can provide a rich and authentic layer to your storytelling, even when exploring universal themes. Authenticity can be a strong selling point.

• Explore Innovative Ways to Integrate Music: If incorporating music into your film, explore how it can serve the narrative and characters beyond simple performance, perhaps reflecting inner thoughts or emotional states, making the music an integral part of the storytelling.

• Focus on Emotional Truth: Regardless of genre or style, prioritizing emotional authenticity in your characters and their interactions can create a powerful and resonant viewing experience that connects with audiences on a deeper level.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Actively Seek Out and Support Debut Filmmakers: Pay close attention to emerging talent showcased at film festivals and through short film circuits, as they often bring fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling.

• Promote Films with Diverse Cultural Perspectives: Support and distribute films rooted in various cultural contexts. These films can offer unique narratives and broaden audience horizons, contributing to a more diverse cinematic landscape.

• Recognize the Value of Film Festivals: Continue to support film festivals as crucial platforms for discovering and launching new talent and showcasing diverse cinematic voices to a global audience.

• Explore the Potential of Musical Dramedies: This genre offers a unique avenue for emotional storytelling and can resonate with audiences through the power of music and relatable human experiences. Invest in projects that creatively blend these elements.

Final Conclusions:

Amélie Bonnin's "Leave One Day" is a notable and historically significant debut that showcases her talent for crafting emotionally resonant stories with a distinctive artistic flair. Its selection to open Cannes underscores the industry's growing recognition of new voices and diverse perspectives. The film's blend of a relatable homecoming narrative, complex family dynamics, and the evocative use of French pop music creates a charming and heartfelt cinematic experience. "Leave One Day" serves as a strong example of how personal stories, rooted in specific cultural contexts but exploring universal themes, can resonate with audiences and highlight the continued evolution of cinematic storytelling. Despite varied early critical opinions, its artistic merit and cultural significance are clear.