French film Leaving opens with a couple in bed. Husband is asleep. Wife is laying on her back staring at the ceiling. She gets up and crosses to the bedroom door and disappears off down the corridor. Moments later a gun shot is heard.
*potential plot spoilers* The film then rewinds to six months earlier in the couples life. Suzanne, the ever elegant Kristin Scott Thomas, is planning to go back to work after 15-years spent raising her family with her Doctor husband, Samuel (Yvan Attal). Samuel is reluctantly paying for some out-buildings to be converted into a physiotherapy studio for her and it is during the building work that she meets Spanish labourer Ivan (Sergi Lopez).
Even before an accident brings her and Ivan closer together it is evident that she relishes the project and new lease of life it gives her outside the family routine. Suzanne and Ivan embark on a passionate affair but racked with guilt she confesses to her husband and promises not to see Ivan again. But the love and passion between the two, coupled with the new life it engenders for Suzanne means it is a promise she can't keep, so she leaves her husband.
But Samuel's male pride is severely dented and he doesn't make it easy. He cuts her off and uses his position to make it difficult for Suzanne and Ivan to get work.
Things begin to spiral out of control culminating in Samuel getting Ivan arrested. Suzanne bargains with him that she will return home if he drops the charges against Ivan. And that brings you, almost, neatly back to the opening scene which I won't divulge the outcome of as that is just a plot spoiler too far.
Leaving is certainly not meant to tug at your loyalties. There is little sympathy established for the jilted husband, even when Suzanne first strays. He not only takes his wife for granted but seems keen to keep her in her place.
As the film progresses, his reaction to the affair is revealing, bringing out a snobbish, cruel and vengeful side that does little to endear him.
The opening and final scene is the key that holds this film together. The story can go one of two ways and you don't know which until the final moments. The bit in the middle is nicely paced with Scott Thomas once again pulling deeply on her acting talent.
While adding little that is new to theme of down trodden wife breaking out it is, overall, an interesting and intriguing character piece.
And the experts opinions:
Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian gave it four stars commenting: "Kristin Scott Thomas pulls out fully 100% of the stops available in this fiercely emotional French film from Catherine Corsini, conceived on traditional, almost classical lines: a marital tragedy with something of Zola or Lawrence."
The Hollywood Reporter was less satisfied: "The direction is proficient, the production is flawless, the landscapes are never less than sun-drenched, and the comparisons with illustrious predecessors are not wholly misplaced. But where, the more demanding filmgoer will ask, is the added value, the spark of inspiration that makes for a must-see movie rather than a worthy night out?"
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