FRENCH EXIT
Canada/Ireland, 2020, 110 minutes, Colour.
Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges, Tracy Letts, Valerie Mahaffey, Susan Coyne, Imogen Poots, Danielle Macdonald, Isaach de Bankole, Daniel Di Tommaso, Eddie Holland.
Directed by Azazel Jacob.
French Exit is a striking title. However, this drama of an ageing, self-preoccupied, New York wealthy woman may strike audiences differently.
On the one hand, Michelle Pfeiffer gives an impressive performance as Frances, her marriage behind her, her coldness towards her husband leaving him dead at home when she went on holidays, the police even arresting her, but now finding that her finances are running out. What to do? The suggestion is that she go to Paris, stay in an apartment owned by a good friend, take her young son with her, and take all the cash and do with it as she wishes. She does.
On the other hand, Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance is so good that for many it may be quite alienating, not eliciting the sympathy which, she often says, she does not crave, but, in her heart of hearts she does. And, of course, we suspect that she is ill.
So, enjoyment of the film will depend on the response to Michelle Pfeiffer. And, some response to her son, played by Lucas Hedges (who has had quite a number of screen mothers over the years: Julia Roberts, Frances McDormand?, Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep as a mother-figure, is attempting some kind of independence, even engagement to his girlfriend, Susan, Imogen Poots, but very much acting as a sponge for his mother’s emotions. She had virtually abandoned him to boarding school when he was young.
What has intrigued many viewers is the touch of magic realism, suggested on the voyage to France by an encounter with a young medium, Danielle Macdonald, who has some strange powers, employed to search for a missing cat (which Frances believes her late husband inhabits). In fact, Frances’ eccentricities lead to all kinds of people coming to live in the flat, a bereaved widow who craves company, the private investigator hired to search for the medium, even the fiance and her current boyfriend…
Another intriguing aspect is what Frances does with her money, leaving inordinate tips, gifts to unsuspecting types, even young man harassed by the police outside her window knows that she is giving him too much and offers her some back. Facing death, living in Paris, wandering the streets, does Frances eventually discover some self-awareness. At a moment of kindness, she does remark that she has made a slight move, which is something.
So, an appeal to some audiences, detachment or alienation for others.
1. The title? Frances, her life, the move to Paris, her death?
2. The New York settings, affluent society, apartments, offices, Society life in parties?
3. The Paris settings, streets and buildings, the river, not the tourist sites? Apartments, interiors, parks restaurants, the musical score?
4. Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance as Frances? Award nominations? Age, widow, mother? Wealth? Self-absorbed? The background of her husband’s death, her finding him dead, going on holiday, returning, the police, the best in prison? The reputation? Abandoning her son, collecting him from school after his father’s death? The close relationship between mother and son, her dependence on him, his being something of a sponge, absorbing her reactions? His relationship with Susan? Engagement? Hesitating to tell his mother?
5. Frances and the financial situation, the discussions with the adviser, the condescending manner? His revealing the truth? The advice to sell everything? Her doing so, getting the cash, storing the cash? Talking with Joan, Joan’s offer of the apartment in Paris? Telling Malcolm, leaving?
6. On the boat, the accommodation, Malcolm and the encounter with Madeleine, her acting as a medium, the reaction of her client (in the news that she died of a heart attack, and the comment of the ship’s doctor)? Malcolm talking with Madeleine, their night together, her leaving? His mother’s reaction in reference to carnal knowledge? Frances, her cat, driving it, smuggling it into France, her comments to the customs man?
7. Going to the hotel, lifestyle, at the restaurant, the smug behaviour of the waiter, Frances setting the flowers on fire?
8. The invitation by Madame Reynard, going to the party, Madame Reynard by herself, her story, Frances being rude, Malcolm trying to smooth the situation? Madame’s drinking? The meal?
9. Madame, her character, her grief, drinking, talking, moving into the apartment?
10. Frances and the cat, the revelation that she thought her husband was in the cat? The flashbacks, his death, his corpse, the cat licking him? The cat scratching her, the disappearance of the cat? Her being upset? Malcolm suggesting they find Madeline with her psychic powers?
11. Julius, giving him the brief, his response, the extra money? His return, with Madeleine? Their both moving into the apartment?
12. Malcolm phoning Susan, her coming to Paris, with Tom, former boyfriend, Tom and his challenge to Malcolm, arm wrestling, Susan and her love for Malcolm, Tom leaving? Susan
remaining?
13. Madeleine, the seance, the search for the cat?
14. Joan, Francis writing the card but leaving it at the restaurant, the waiter posting it? Talking about her terminal illness? Joan, concern, amazement at all the people in the apartment? Listening to Frances, advising her?
15. Frances and the money, stored in the wardrobe, lavish tips, giving the money away, giving the money to those begging in the street, her watching the police with the protester, meeting him later, giving him the money, his taking a small portion – advice to give it to the other man, his snatching, his running? Eventually the money running out?
16. Frances, walking the street late at night, and making her exit?
