One Fine Morning (2022)

A romantic drama (original title Un beau matin) about a young widow who is caring for everyone around her in Paris and with little time for herself or her prospects. A father who has, what turns out to be, Benson’s Syndrome (a neurodegenerative disease which causes cognitive and sight impairment), an eight year-old girl who is seeking her mother’s attention (and some kind of ordinary life) and now and an old (married but unhappy) friend who has turned up looking for loving involvement. Director/writer Mia Hansen-Løve (Father of My Children, All Is Forgiven) draws out the best in her cast which is led by Léa Seydoux (No Time to Die, Midnight in Paris, Blue Is the Warmest Colour) as she depicts the torn-in-every-direction Sandra so very convincingly. She is supported ably by Melvil Poupaud playing Clément (the love interest), very competently by Camille Leban Martins in her first outing as Linn (the daughter) and the experienced Pascal Greggory (La Vie En Rose, The Page Turner, La Reine Margot), as Georg, her sadly deteriorating father. Her father had been an intellectual, a philosophy professor, and is surrounded by a huge library of books in his apartment, where he has been leading something of a relationship with a lady who seems to have come onto the scene (but now abandoned mainly) following his divorce from his wife, some 20 years previous. His ex-wife pops up and figures in the story as he deteriorates to such a degree that the family have to give in and accept that he needs to live in some kind of care establishment. Prior to this happening, and with a great deal of insight into the difficulties surrounding that move, the care system in France and quality of available options, Sandra attends to his care on a continual basis - not helped much by the other members of the family. It is often moving and sad as we observe the deterioration, not only of the father’s condition but also Sandra’s resolve and resignation in the situation. We observe Sandra’s vulnerability as she tries her best to please everyone, keep on top of the situations around her as many depend upon her, whilst trying to maintain a hold on her job as a language translator. Along comes Clément, a much travelled and respected scientist, and they start a passionate affair until the magic of the sex runs its course and he realises that it’s going to be difficult for him to leave his wife and son for her and Linn. He leaps about, undecided, confusing both of them in the process but amongst the grief and sadness, Sandra holds onto hope that it will end up positively for the three of them. We then follow the ups and downs of that situation, the confusion, memory and dignity loss with an unclear path regarding the care for her father and the behaviours of Linn as she seeks approval and attention from those around her. It’s touching but not soppy as all the threads are pulled together in this slow-paced but moody, atmospheric and satisfying drama. The setting throughout is within Paris, the apartments, streets, school, care homes, hospitals and landmarks, which have been very nicely filmed depicting the heat of summer and cold of winter, with thoughtful imagery and camerawork throughout. Seydoux’s performance is excellent and she holds the attention of the viewer throughout, portraying real-life emotions as the landscape around her rises and falls, crumbles and conquers but with a resounding message of hope too. Recommended.