Cinecity: Departure

French cinema has always excelled at coming of age dramas and director Andrew Steggall’s accomplished, if reserved, feature debut tackled the genre with this anglicised version, detailing a family falling apart in the beautiful, autumnal French countryside. Alex Lawther excelled as frustrated teenage poet Elliot, with his confidence growing from inquisitive fumblings to lust at first sight, while Juliet Stevenson convincingly portrayed the downtrodden middle-class mum dealing with her odious, roving-eyed husband. The exquisite locations, a strong, small supporting cast, plus Jools Scott’s beautifully understated score also shone through in this tale of middle-class woes where no-one truly triumphs.

Duke Of York’s Picturehouse, 18 November 2015

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