French Exit (2020 film)

French Exit is a 2020 surreal comedy film directed by Azazel Jacobs, based on the novel of the same name by Patrick deWitt, who also wrote the screenplay. It tells the story of a Manhattan heiress (Michelle Pfeiffer) who moves to Paris with her son (Lucas Hedges) with the little money they have left.

French Exit
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAzazel Jacobs
Produced by
  • Christine Habeler
  • Christina Piovesan
  • Noah Segal
  • Trish Dolman
  • Katie Holly
  • Oliver Glass
Screenplay byPatrick deWitt
Based onFrench Exit
by Patrick deWitt
Starring
Music byNick deWitt
CinematographyTobias Datum
Edited byHilda Rasula
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Classics
Release date
  • October 11, 2020 (2020-10-11) (NYFF)
  • February 12, 2021 (2021-02-12) (United States)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
Country
  • Canada
  • Ireland
LanguageEnglish

The film had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on October 10, 2020, and is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on February 12, 2021.

Premise

A close-to-penniless widow moves to Paris with her son and cat, who also happens to be her reincarnated husband.

Cast

Production

It was announced in May 2019 that Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges and Tracy Letts were cast in the film, with Azazel Jacobs directing and the novel's author Patrick deWitt writing the screenplay.[4] Danielle Macdonald was cast in October.[5]

Filming

Principal photography began in October 2019, with Paris and Montreal as the filming locations.[6]

Release

In September 2019, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to the film.[7] It had its world premiere at the New York Film Festival on October 10, 2020.[8]

On August 20, 2020, the studio scheduled the film to be released on February 12, 2021.[9][10] In February 2021, it was announced the film would begin a limited release in New York City and Los Angeles on February 12, before going wide on April 2.[11]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 72% based on 46 reviews, with an average rating of 6.20/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "The smartly written French Exit offers proof that even the most caustic characters can be made entertaining – and even relatable – through a Michelle Pfeiffer performance."[12] Metacritic reports a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[13]

David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a "B–" and wrote: "That reading might seem like more of a reach in the movie than it does in the book (despite DeWitt writing both), but Jacobs doesn't give us much else to hold on to. For all of its touching moments – and a series of closing grace notes that shimmer with a mystical flair missing from the rest of the film – this gossamer-thin adaptation is hampered by the same ambivalence that's haunted Frances for so long."[14]

Pfeiffer received critical acclaim for her performance with many critics dubbing it Oscar-worthy and Variety's Pete Dubruge writing that she delivered a role "for which she'll be remembered."[15][16][17][18][19][20]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
Satellite Awards February 15, 2021 Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Michelle Pfeiffer Pending [21]
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021 Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical Pending [22]
Independent Spirit Awards April 22, 2021 Best Supporting Female Valerie Mahaffey Pending [23]

References
  1. "58th New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". New York Film Festival. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  2. "French Exit". Rocket Science. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  3. "Issach de Bankole". Talent Box. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  4. Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges, Tracy Letts To Star In 'French Exit' Comedy
  5. Danielle Macdonald Joins Michelle Pfeiffer In 'French Exit'
  6. Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Azazel Jacobs' 'French Exit' Starring Michelle Pfeiffer & Lucas Hedges
  7. Lang, Brent (September 7, 2019). "Sony Pictures Classics Buys 'French Exit' With Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges". Variety. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  8. Lang, Brent (August 11, 2020). "'French Exit' With Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges to Close New York Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  9. D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 22, 2020). "Michelle Pfeiffer & Lucas Hedges Drama 'French Exit' Sets Early 2021 Opening". Deadline. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  10. Anderson, Erik (August 20, 2020). "Sony Classics' 'French Exit' with Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges gets release date". AwardsWatch. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  11. Pedersen, Erik (February 2, 2021). "Sony Pictures Classics Updates Release Plans For 'French Exit', 'Truffle Hunters', 'Human Factor', 'The Father' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  12. "French Exit (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  13. "French Exit Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  14. Ehrlich, David (October 10, 2020). "'French Exit' Review: Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges Outshine a Sleepy Transatlantic Satire". IndieWire. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  15. Debruge, Peter (October 10, 2020). "'French Exit' Review: Michelle Pfeiffer Makes a Clean Break, Delivering a Role for Which She'll Be Remembered". Variety. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  16. Debruge, Peter (October 11, 2020). "Everything Is Terrible, but Michelle Pfeiffer Is Talking to a Cat". The Daily Beast. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  17. Hammond, Peter (October 11, 2020). "Michelle Pfeiffer Delivers Oscar-Worthy Performance In Dazzling New York Film Fest Closing-Night Film 'French Exit'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  18. Friedman, Roger (October 11, 2020). "Review: Michelle Pfeiffer Joins the Oscar Race for Best Actress in "French Exit," With Star Turns from Valerie Mahaffey and a Black Cat". Showbiz411. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  19. Hoffman, Jordan (October 11, 2020). "Michelle Pfeiffer Seems an Oscar Nom Lock for French Exit". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  20. Gray, Tim (January 2, 2021). "Michelle Pfeiffer's Hypnotic 'French' Connection". Variety.
  21. Van Blaricom, Mirjana (February 1, 2021). "25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced". International Press Academy. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  22. "Nominations for the 78th Golden Globe Awards (2021) Announced". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  23. Warren, Matt (January 26, 2021). "2021 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced!". Film Independent. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
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