French Exit

French Exit is a darkly comedic drama film that follows Frances Price, an elegant but somewhat eccentric Manhattan socialite who has squandered her inherited wealth and is now facing financial ruin. She decides to pack up her belongings and her adult son Malcolm, played by Lucas Hedges, and move to Paris to start anew. The two of them are accompanied by their pet cat, whom they believe is the reincarnation of Frances' deceased husband.

In Paris, the mother-son duo rents an apartment and begins to try and fit in with the city's elite social scene. They quickly realize that they are out of their element and are forced to confront their past mistakes and dysfunctional relationships. Frances reconnects with an old friend, the widower Lucas, played by Tracy Letts, who becomes a source of potential romance for her.

As they navigate their new surroundings, Frances and Malcolm begin to unravel their family's secrets and past traumas. The film touches on themes of death, grief, regret, loneliness, and the pursuit of happiness. Despite the heavy subject matter, the film maintains a lighthearted tone that is both charming and emotionally impactful.

Michelle Pfeiffer's performance as Frances is magnetic and captivating. She portrays the character's wit and charm flawlessly, and her physicality and facial expressions convey a range of emotions without saying a word. Lucas Hedges delivers a reserved but nuanced performance as Malcolm, playing the character with a mixture of vulnerability and cynicism. Tracy Letts brings depth and complexity to his role as the melancholic Lucas, and his scenes with Pfeiffer are some of the film's strongest.

The film's cinematography and score contribute to its atmospheric and dreamlike quality. The haunting piano music and moody camera work create a sense of melancholy that matches the characters' emotional state. The Parisian setting provides a stunning backdrop that adds to the film's elegance and sophistication.

French Exit is a unique and charming film that defies categorization. It's a character study, a comedy, a tragedy, and a love story all rolled into one. It's a film about the complexities of human relationships, the search for identity, and the acceptance of mortality. It's a poignant and bittersweet film that will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.