One Fine Morning

Totally underwhelming.

Truthful portrayal of the beauty in and of ordinary life. Beautiful cinematography.

Beautifully and gracefully crafted and obviously deeply personal to writer-director Mia Hansen-Løve as she mines her own life for material in this poetic, quietly emotional and very European indie drama which has two parallel narratives running concurrently, connected by Léa Seydoux's central character, Sandra, a single-mom translator in Paris. While her philosophy professor father, Pascal Greggory's Georg, has an advancing neuro-degenerative disease which necessitates his moving into full-time care, she has to juggle familial and work commitments as well as an affair with a married friend, Melvil Poupaud's Clément, who has suddenly re-entered her life. If the film seems episodic, and one really has to pay attention to how they're dressed and background information to ascertain what time of the year it is and how much time has passed in between scenes, it's all part and parcel of Hansen-Løve's more understating observational style which makes the film all the more compelling and engaging to experience. The incredibly French cast is sublime and Seydoux's performance is subtle yet totally mesmerizing, in a film that's deceptively light and amusing, almost frothy, much like the familial dynamics it depicts, but also brimming with emotions and thoughtfulness that linger long afterwards. If the to-ing and fro-ing between Sandra and Clément seems repetitive and frustrating, it's also very non-judgmental and sensual. Seemingly unconnected, we also cut back and forth to heartfelt and poignantly written scenes where Sandra and her family coming to terms with and making arrangements for the once brilliant Georg as he slowly fades away. For anyone who has cared for an elderly family member who has left mentally before their physical bodies do whilst involved in an extramarital affair, you've hit the jackpot. For everyone else, this remains an empathetic and hopeful portrait of grief and life continuing regardless afterwards.

Unengaging, watch a Rohmer film instead

Charming French film

I want to describe this film as getting a big hug from the most important person in your life, the one you haven't seen in a long time. There's such warmth mixed with longing. This film is a series of ebbs and flows. Happy and sad - all wrapped up in a beautiful package. You peek into Sandra's life, go on walks around Paris with her, watch her worry about the state of her dad, and let her find solace in the arms of a married man. Emotions live in every frame of this film. Every moment plays with no judgment. Sandra is you or me or anyone, and she's living her life in the best way that she can. While this may not appeal to many people's tastes, I believe it's a film that can bring out a familiar memory out of everyone: the double-edged sword of caring for the people we love.

The film is more boring than the trailer and that says it all.