Paris,1981.ThewindsofchangeareblowingonelectionnightandtheFrenchstormthestreets,elated.ButÉlisabeth(CharlotteGainsbourg)strugglestosharethegeneralmoodofoptimism.Hermarriageiscomingtoanendandshewillnowhavetosupportherfamily.Sheisdistraught,andherfatherandteenagechildrenareworriedthathertearssimplywillnotdry.Butwhatiflisteningtoheremotionscouldhelphertostartfillingtheblankpageofherfuture?Whatifsheweretowritealetteronawhimtothehostofherfavouriteradioprogramme?Orinviteahomelessgirlintoherhouse?Whatwouldhappenifsheweretomakethekindofgesturesthatactuallychangelives? ccc
Inthisfollow-uptothebeautifulAmanda,MikhaëlHersdirectshishypersensitivegazeatthe1980sandtheseeminglymundanemomentsinonefamily’slifethatshapeindeliblememories.Alargenumberofcharacterspopulatesthisnostalgicsagaofself-invention.Thedirectorhonourstheirvulnerabilityandkindnessinawaythatstandsoutinacinematiclandscapemoreoftenfascinatedbydisillusionedantiheroes.Thisisfilmatitsmostprofoundlyintimateandmesmerising,thekindthat,whenwereflectonhowwefunctionasasociety,givesusanideaofwhylovematters.
