When Autumn Falls by François Ozon is a beguiling mixture of genres, suspense, love and beauty.
Be Careful Out There!
by Alexa DalbyWhen Autumn Falls
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
CAUTION: Here be spoilers
It’s so difficult to give any information about Ozon‘s latest film without spoiling its twists and turns.
It starts as what appears to be the story of the relationship of two elderly retired women living in the beautiful Bordeaux countryside. The autumnal forest where the two woman forage together for mushrooms is shot like an oil painting by an Old Master – the russet colours glow and nature looks idyllic.
The details of kindly Michelle’s (81-year-old Helène Vincent) peaceful daily life are beautifully observed at the start. She quietly attends church, where the priest sermonises from the Bible about Mary Magdalene and forgiveness. She works in her kitchen garden, makes homemade soup from her produce and calmly eats a solitary supper, with the table formally arranged for one. The following day she gives her close friend Marie-Claude (Josiane Balasko, 74) a lift. But instead of the harmless shopping trip we might have expected, surprisingly it’s to the prison where Marie-Claude visits her son Vincente (Pierre Lottin).
But it all changes when Michelle’s daughter Valérie (Ludivine Sagnier) arrives for a holiday with her young son Lucas (Garlan Erlos), who Michelle dotes on. Valérie is restless and resentful. She tries the patience of an understanding mother. After a special lunch, which she only just survives, she accuses Michelle of poisoning her and, before the two drive off suddenly, says she will never see Lucas again.
What started as a charming elderly two-hander after a while becomes a Chabrol-esque murder mystery with surprising revelations about the pasts of the protagonists and some strange episodes of the supernatural. The film’s timescale goes forward several months and then several years.
The film has all the teasing and overturning of expectations that you have come to expect from Ozon, together with an element of gayness. With hindsight, all the hints to the resolution were planted as the film progressed, but only at the end does it become clearer (perhaps) who knew what all along (possibly). The ambiguity is intrinsic to the characters and what we learn about their stories but also to the fact that we (the audience) do not see a contentious incident, the repercussions of which dominate the suspense of the second part of the film.
If there is any message, it is about intergenerational love and parenting and second chances to make things right. But does it need a message? Ozon is such an individualistic and stylish filmmaker, he is difficult to pin down. It’s a very enjoyable film for all sorts of reasons, not least the wonderful acting and direction.
When Autumn Falls is released on 21 March 2025 by Parkland. The original French title is Quand vient l’automne. The title for US release is When Fall is Coming.
