FRENCH EXIT (2020) – A mesmerising performance from Pfeiffer
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

French Exit is a quirky, quietly hilarious comedy about a rich heiress who finds herself suddenly facing bankruptcy as her inheritance runs dry. She escapes to Paris together with her adult son and cat to live off the remains of her wealth. Taking on the lead is Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges as her adult son. Lucas is perhaps best known for his supporting role in Manchester by the Sea (2016) where he was nominated for an Academy Award.
French Exit is however, Michelle Pfeiffer’s film all the way. Her role as heiress Frances Price is a delight to watch and listen to from the start to finish. I cannot remember when Pfeiffer had had such a juicy role to play. Her Frances is bold, unconventional, and always never cease to spring a surprise on you. Frances is a character that should be loathed because of her irresponsibility and often crass behaviour, but Pfeiffer manages to make her vulnerable, sympathetic and adorable. All the while, delivering her performance and lines with class and elegance. Of course much of French Exit’s delights derives from its witty and well written script. Kudos to Patrick DeWitt for this. I suppose he is the best person to do the job since it is his book that that the film is based upon.
Despite having such a strong and attention grabbing main character, all the film’s supporting characters still manage to come across as interesting and memorable. Of course, here, Lucas Hedges have the bulk of the supporting role but he is aptly supported by a charade of eccentric characters. Even someone like a street hobo who gets no more than two scenes in the movie has his moment and leaves a mark. The film’s locale in Paris is also beautifully captured in sight and sound, providing a colourful and vibrant backdrop to many of the outdoor scenes.
French Exit is a little and modest scale movie that emerge ultimately feeling like a much bigger movie experience. Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance, DeWitt’s script and Azazel Jacobs’ directing here are all certainly Oscar worthy but unfortunately this movie seem to have gone pretty much unnoticed by all the major awards. Ultimately the winner is the lucky viewers who get to relish in the film’s unique delights.