When Fall Is Coming, directed by the prolific French filmmaker François Ozon, explores the intricate layers of family dynamics, dark secrets, and unexpected twists. Known for his diverse filmmaking style, Ozon shifts between genres with ease, often blending dark humor, thrillers, and a sexual charge in his work. His previous films such as Swimming Pool, Eight Women, and Potiche have earned both critical acclaim and award nominations, establishing him as a filmmaker who rarely repeats himself.
Set against the backdrop of a picturesque village in Burgundy, When Fall Is Coming centers around Michelle (Hélène Vincent), an elderly woman who has retired from Paris to enjoy her supposed golden years in a peaceful countryside setting. Her life seems simple: attending church, gardening, reading, and enjoying walks with her lifelong friend Marie-Claude (Josiane Balasko) through the autumn woods, gathering mushrooms. The two share a deep bond that provides Michelle with comfort in her new life.
However, in Ozon’s world, peace is fleeting, and beneath the serene surface of Michelle’s life lies tension. The arrival of Michelle’s daughter, Valérie (Ludivine Sagnier), a bitter, phone-obsessed divorcee, along with her sweet pre-teen grandson, Lucas (Garlan Erlos), brings emotional turmoil. Valérie’s resentment toward her mother simmers beneath the surface, and a seemingly innocuous event — Michelle accidentally poisoning Valérie with wild mushrooms she foraged — escalates into a family crisis. Though Valérie recovers, she blames her mother for the poisoning, adding fuel to the already strained relationship between them.
The film takes yet another twist as it reveals that both Michelle and Marie-Claude worked as prostitutes in Paris for many years, a fact that exacerbates Valérie’s anger and further complicates the family dynamics. Marie-Claude’s son, Vincent (Pierre Lottin), recently released from prison, is another source of tension. While Marie-Claude is wary of her son’s intentions to turn his life around, Michelle, perhaps in an effort to revive some purpose, hires Vincent as a gardener and lends him money to open a bar. Her involvement with Vincent briefly lifts her from her sorrow, but his efforts to repair the fractured relationship between Michelle and Valérie lead to tragic consequences, though the specifics are left ambiguous.
Ozon’s When Fall Is Coming leaves much unexplained, focusing more on the twists and turns of the narrative than on providing clear motivations for the characters’ actions. In a poignant moment, Marie-Claude reflects on her adult children, stating, “We failed miserably.” While the film leans into dark themes, it also allows for moments of lightness and humor, balancing the tension with clever narrative developments.
Ultimately, When Fall Is Coming is a captivating thriller, skillfully crafted but more clever than emotionally impactful. While it doesn’t delve deeply into the psychology of its characters, Ozon’s ability to weave suspenseful, unpredictable drama keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.
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