French Exit

Die New Yorkerin Frances hat zwölf Jahre nach dem Tode ihres Mannes das geerbte Vermögen so gut wie aufgebraucht. Ihr Sohn Malcolm, Mitte 20, kann sich nicht dazu durchringen, seiner Mutter von der Verlobung mit Freundin Susan zu erzählen. Stattdessen zieht er mit der Mutter und deren Katze Small Frank nach Paris, wo Freunde ihnen ihr Apartment überlassen. Die beiden Sonderlinge stoßen bald auf eine ganze Reihe von originellen Persönlichkeiten, die sie aufs Beste ergänzen; und es muss das Rätsel von Small Frank gelöst werden, der sich in Paris auf seine Weise selbstständig macht. (Barbara Schweizerhof)

In Anwesenheit von Azazel Jacobs.

Frances is someone who has wandered in and out of the life of her son Malcolm. She lives by her own laconic code, flaunting the rules of sociability and draining the money left behind by her late husband. The adult Malcolm has become dependent and maladaptive in turn, especially in his awkward relationship with his girlfriend Susan. As a final gesture of “exit”, Frances moves with son and cat to France.
Beginning as an upper-class version of Bill Forsyth’s HOUSEKEEPING, FRENCH EXIT eventually wanders – picking up strange characters and supernatural events along the way – into the eccentricity and whimsy of Wes Anderson territory. However, Azazel Jacobs’ approach to the material (scripted by novelist Patrick deWitt) is closer to the even, dispassionate gaze of Todd Solondz. The film avoids the usual touristic views of Paris in order to concentrate on its ensemble of misfits and loners suddenly jammed into the same apartment.
Above all, FRENCH EXIT is a remarkable showcase for the talents of Michelle Pfeiffer, at last receiving a role that is worthy of her. Listen out for the voice of playwright Tracy Letts as a grumpy, spectral, off-screen presence. (Adrian Martin)

In the presence of Azazel Jacobs.

Azazel Jacobs: NOBODY NEEDS TO KNOW (2003), THE GOODTIMESKID (2005), MOMMA’S MAN (2008), TERRI (2011), DOLL & EM (2013-15, TV-Serie), THE LOVERS (2017), MOZART IN THE JUNGLE (2014-18, TV-Serie)