"French Exit" News and Enthusiasm
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 9:27PM by Nathaniel R
In case you haven't yet heard the New York Film Festival has selected French Exit, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, as its closing night film this October. Key positioning at film festivals is generally a sign of confidence by movie studios though it naturally doesn't always mean anything. But we're very excited nonetheless.
Since four and half months of quarantine or social distancing has us exhausted of streaming movies and television we've thankfully branched out for entertainment. We've read a few books during this COVID summer, too. One was French Exit which we read in anticipation of the film.
La Pfeiffer has appeared in a number of adaptations but only two novels before French Exit had us screaming 'MICHELLE PFEIFFER WAS BORN TO PLAY THIS ROLE. MICHELLE PFEIFFER WILL SLAY THIS!'...
Those two were Cheri and White Oleander. Both movies didn't turn out as well as one might have hoped reading the (excellent) novels. At least in the latter case, the actress did all she could possibly do to elevate the material, turning in one of her three greatest performances (for the record we'd say those are Fabulous Baker Boys, Batman Returns and White Oleander... though she was nomination worthy more times, too). Sadly she was denied even an Oscar nomination when she deserved to win the statue that year.
French Exit, at least on paper (quite literally -- we held the paperback in our hands) reads like the role that could change her tragic Oscar fate.
Or not. You never know how well movies will turn out. If writer/director Azazel Jacobs (The Lovers) is up to the considerable task of adapting this odd tragicomedy about a once-wealthy widow and her freeloading son the finished film might be glorious. Although it's unlikely to be a crossover hit -- American audiences aren't especially besotted with pitch black comedies -- the potential is there for a great motion picture.
The role of Frances Price is basically everything an older female movie star could dream on. In addition to the complexity of the characters - she's alternately pitiable, enraging, funny, mystifying, and weirdly both helpless and forceful - the prose makes frequent mention of Mrs Price's legendary beauty and how intimidating that beauty still is even in her senior years. In the course of the narrative men and women alike fear her or try desperately to please her. The story is so oddly shaped, mordantly funny, and surprising that we beg you all to avoid spoilers unless you plan to read the book -- which is hard to put down and slim.
Early naysayers concerned about Lucas Hedge's casting have reason to be. At least in the novel the age and slovenliness of Malcolm Price, her son, who is in his mid 30s and out of shape, is crucial to his character arc or lack thereof. So a fit slim 24 year old star is a surprising choice.
Though one might classify the story as a mother/son dramedy, the biggest surprise for us reading the novel is what a lively ensemble piece this has the potential to be. Nearly every small role is great fun and if they've cast well and the actors are on the game we might be falling in love with Danielle Macdonald as Madeleine the psychic, Susan Coyne as the widow's only real friend (with whom a whole different side of her emerges), Imogen Poots and Daniel di Tomasso (who we think are playing Malcolm's ex girlfriend and her new boyfriend but we aren't entirely sure) and Isaach de Bankole and Valerie Mahaffey as French neighbors who become involved in their rapidly decaying lives.
Oh and yes, the great Tracy Letts as Small Frank, the cat. And yes, the cat does talk in the novel in a way. But we have no idea how the movie will handle his journey in the book - it's the kind of conceit that can be brilliant in literary form but might go very wrong onscreen. We shall see.
French Exit will have its world premiere on the closing night of NYFF in October and presumably go into limited release towards the end of the year (provided movie theaters are reopened by then)
Reader Comments (32)
La Pfeiffer potentially returning to the awards talk is for sure one of the bright spots of this dump of a year
The Deep end of the Ocean was an adaptation ation!
Fingers crossed. I was burned before with Wonder Wheel, however (prime NYFF slot, big anticipation for the leading actress’ performance, but ultimately the film tanked), so I will try to manage expectations.
I'm excited about this! Also, I love Cheri. I think I may be the only one. lol
I know that Lucas Hedges can look the part of a 30-something to play Malcolm given the wonders of cosmetic enhancements but wouldn't it be great to give the part to someone who is in his 30s? Maybe Tom Pelphrey? Lucas Hedges always act with gravitas though so I'll wait and see.
A Thousand Acres (1997) which Michelle Pfeiffer co-starred with Jessica Lange and Jennifer Jason-Leigh was based on Jane Smiley's novel of the same name--itself an adaptation of Shakespeare's "King Lear".
Don't set your hopes too high. Isn't JHud winning her second Oscar for RESPECT next year? Sigh.
Doesn't Ant-Man and the Wasp count as an adaptation since it was based on a comic book series?
Lucas Hedges definitely looks older than his years in that pic.
Thrilled to see Michelle back in the running. It'd be so spectacular to see her get an Oscar.
And let's not forget that Lucas Hedges is an actor of estimable skill and deep talent. It's cool to reimagine some elements from novel to film when you have an actor of his skill at your disposal.
At the very least you've sold me on the book. Sounds like a brave story to adapt, hope it succeeds & Michelle has a chance to remind us all what she's capable of.
@thefilmjunkie - I love Chéri too, you're not the only one.
Scorsese's "The Age of Innocence" was also an adaptation (Edith Wharton) and Pfeiffer was brilliant in that movie - and SO Oscar nomination worthy!
The slot bodes well but like some said Wonder Wheel's slot didn't take it anywhere not even for a great Winslet performance,I'm hoping rumours are true about Pfeiffer and Winslet being Oscar worthy in their projects.
It’ll be nice to see her in a leading role again.
This is breathtakingly petty but the thought of Pfeiffer getting awards during a pandemic that will not allow the public spectacle of her red carpet fashion will kill me if the virus doesn't. I can't. I can bear the thought of a zoomed best actress Oscar for THE Michelle Pfeiffer.
*can't bear the thought
Have a really good feeling about this. Also, am I the only one who loved Wonder Wheel?
Not at all thrilled with the trailer for Respect. Jennifer Hudson seems to be playing The Jennifer Hudson Story, not Aretha Franklin.
I think you're all forgetting that WONDER WHEEL had problems that had nothing to do with the film itself and everything to do with Woody Allen's tarnished reputation by that point. Just reminding y'all for perspective.
Lucas Hedges can hold his own against the biggest stars. Julia Roberts, Frances McDormand...he elevates scenes. When the great Elaine May won her Tony, she attributed her win to him. So it'll be fun to see him with La Pfeiffer.
As for the glorious star herself, she is number one on my bucket list to get an Oscar. Glenn Close will not doubt get an honorary Oscar at some point, but Pfeiffer won't have that same luck. Hers will be performance or none. She was robbed by Jessica Tandy for "The Fabulous Baker Boys." Really crossing my fingers for this.
@thefilmjunkie @ferdi . Love her in Cheri too! (even if the movie itself was a little underwhelming, probably because of the confusing tone)
This is good news. Looking forward to seeing a trailer soon. I guess we're lucky that the film is completed and was filmed last year pre pandemic. She's been in a few novel adaptations, witches of eastwick, dangerous liasons, the Russia House, the age of innocence A thousand acres, deep end of the ocean white oleander and Cheri. I thank its a meaty role for her and bet she'll have great chemistry with lukas hedges. Bit worried how the cat will figure talking etc.
Michelle was amazing in Cheri. I thought, at the very least, she should have been able to snag a Globe nom. I typically look forward to Frear's films, but he really misses there, even though Michelle gets the emotion and her character just right.
I'm excited about French exit. I have doubts that it will get her a nom or even to the finish line, but I could see it being a player with something like Sony Pictures Classic in another year. If this goes streaming, it could also gain some buzz. However, I could see a world where it preimires at the festival this fall but is released next year like The Wife. Sure, Glenn didn't get her prize and maybe not being at the festivals in 2018 really hurt her buzz and supports with mainstream critics/oscar-oligist, but it her got her the nomination and very very close.
The Academy has the opportunity to amend the wrong they did to Dangerous Liaisons and reward both Michelle and Glenn this year. But knowing them that's more wishful thinking.
Yes I really enjoyed cheri. I kinda wish it was released in the fall sept oct of 09 instead of april 2009. Any kind of critics nom would be good. She got various critics noms for wizard of lies, mother! and where is kyra?
Foolish Oscar ceremony in 2021 predix:
Best Actress - Michelle Pfeiffer
Best Supporting Actress - Glenn Close
Best Actor - John David Washington
Best Supporting Actor - Delroy Lindo
I don't want La Pfeiffer to win her Oscar via Zoom.
I'm trying to manage my own expectations too. But I read the novel, liked it, and I'm looking forward to this being good and Michelle Pfeiffer getting at least an Oscar nomination. A win would be too much to expect, but, oh, if only! As for Lucas Hedges, it's true, at 23 (not 24, Nathaniel!), he's about a decade younger and fitter than the 32-year-old Malcolm Price he's portraying, but actors can gain or lose weight for a role and make-up can do the rest. Sucessful novel to film adaptations have often included alterations to the original text. In fact there's such a thing as being too faithful. Besides, I think Hedges, a gifted and emerging young talent, is worth the reconceiving of the character. I'm setting myself up for disappointment, but i find the idea of this being a sensation irresistable to contemplate.
Could the wonderful Michelle Pfeiffer win her first Oscar in 2021? It depends on whether Glenn Close or Amy Adams have oscar worthy performances entered. Or could a total unknown score a great performance to win the Oscar. Remember Judy Holliday and Olivia Colman scored surprising upsets in their respective years.
I also loved Michelle in Cheri.
I ♥ Pfeiffer in Cheri too. Gorgeously lensed n she really embodies the part perfectly.
I too am puzzled w the lack o critics luv for it.
Its too early to tell whether she will get ano nom after 28 yrs n her odue Oscar, but lets hope she get sum Golden Globes luv 1st!!
The Age of Innocence and Dangerous Liaisons were amazing adaptations and Michelle deserved to be nominated for the first and win the second! She was robbed for Fabulous baker boys and several nominations were not granted, which is a mystery! What lies beneath has an incredible performance from Pfeiffer for instance, just to mention one example. Really hope French Exit is the film that brings her back! I love Glenn Close and Amy Adams but the Academy should learn to reward at the right time, how can these three amazing actresses be Oscar less when there are less worthy performers who have won already? They are now talking about a repeat for J Hudson... lovely girl, amazing voice but not as an amazing actress sorry and I do like her....