After an unfortunate case of mushroom poisoning, Michelle (Hélène Vincent) is prevented from spending summer with her grandson… but things change when her best friend’s son (Pierre Lottin) is released from prison.

François Ozon was inspired by a real-life poisoning that he read about for this unpredictable story about how chance and different people’s needs play a part in the shaping of surprising new family units. Vincent is excellent as the kind grandmother with an embarrassing secret.

The film has dark themes, but Ozon maintains a lightness, embracing his work with lovely autumnal hues.

2024-France. 102 min. Color. Produced, written and directed by François Ozon. Cast: Hélène Vincent (Michelle Giraud), Pierre Lottin (Vincent Perrin), Josiane Balasko (Marie-Claude Perrin), Ludivine Sagnier, Garlan Erlos, Sophie Guillemin. 

Trivia: Original title: Quand vient l’automne. Released in the U.K. and Ireland as When Autumn Falls.

Last word: “Death is part of life and it’s the autumn of life for these women who know they will die very soon but they’re still full of life and energy and want to take advantage of the time they have left, especially Michelle with her grandson. Yes, there are three deaths in the film. It’s looks like my killing movie! From very early on in my life, I’ve been concerned about death, that’s why very often my films revolve around the idea of death and ghosts, especially with Under the Sand (2000) which was about death, about desperation, about ghosts.” (Ozon, Film International)