British expatriate Suzanne (Kristen Scott Thomas - an expatriate herself), living in France, has been married over 20 years to a man she probably never loved. And that kind of relationship certainly doesn't withstand the test of time. She and her family, including two teenage children (Alexandre Vidal and Daisy Broom) live very comfortably in an art filled, modern house with her husband, the doctor Samuel (Yvan Attal). She might have felt a little restless and decided the antidote to that certain form of ennui would be to go back to work as a physiotherapist. But she needs more than an interesting job to fulfill her. Entre Ivan (Sergi Lopez), a Spanish construction worker building her office in the backyard. Their attraction is undeniable and they both fall deeply, passionately and inextricably in love.
It's easy for her to give up her lifestyle, her home, her job and whatever else her vindictive husband tries to take away from her. For some inexplicable reason, husband Samuel just wants her back and will hurt her any way he can to get her. You figure out the French; I can't. I can understand the attraction Suzanne feels for Ivan -- the passion beyond physical attraction (though there is plenty of that) which she has missed in her married life of routine, polite behavior and security. She risks everything for love and in the process she reaches the depths of despair and finds peaks of bliss -- and we get to watch it all for the price of admission.
'Leaving' reminds me of last year's 'I Am Love,' starring Tilda Swinton. Both heroines are middle aged, expatriate wives with teenage children and live in their wealthy, respected husband's countries. Tilda plays a Russian living in Italy. Both have very explicit, very erotic affairs with very inappropriate men and give up everything for a life of sensual pleasures in their rustic mountain retreat. I find Kristen Scott Thomas' Suzanne much more relatable, human and warm. Tilda Swinton's Emma seemed to have been drained of all human characteristics by her formal, sterile life until the spark is reignited by her paramour. Husbands beware: wives trapped in routine, unexciting, loveless, uninspired lives will seek what they're missing. And it seems to be knocking at their doors.
Leaving
Director: Cathrine Corsini
Writers: Catherine Corsini and Gaelle Mace
Cast: Kristen Scott Thomas, Sergi Lopez, Yvan Attal, Bernard Blancan, Aladin Reibel, Alexandre Vital, Daisy Broom
Time: 85 min.
Open October 29 at the Clay in San Francisco
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