When Fall Is Coming

That it is still worthwhile owes largely to the sympathetic, sinuous performance of Hélène Vincent, in the lead role of a grand-mère who may not be as simply sweet as she first appears.

François Ozon’s dramatic thriller “When Fall is Coming” is deceptively calm and restrained for all the mystery that arises.

François Ozon’s crackling autumnal thriller gives Hélène Vincent a well-deserved spotlight in this accomplished thriller.

A sleek, modestly scaled entertainment about families, secrets and obligations, it features fine performances and some picture-postcard Burgundian locations.

The film is a bit too muddled to bring its main character fully into focus, despite Hélène Vincent’s best efforts to do so.

In the great Ozon catalogue, this is an incidental work... [yet] fascinating and the more you think about it, the more there is to think about.

With accidents and tragedy, the plot’s gentle pace is carefully and skilfully executed.

Thoroughly enjoyable and believable, the delight of this film is what conclusions you take away with you.

Carefully constructed storylines slowly unravel, exercising the grey matter of the audience, compelling immersion and engagement in the lives of these complex characters.

Luminous octogenarian Hélène Vincent compels as the sympathetic but potentially guilty Michelle, supported with equally riveting and ambiguous performances from Balasko and Lottin, only Sagnier parading her emotions unequivocally.