What is it about?
In love with Diane like day one, Allen crosses 50 without a crisis. He even accepted the children’s departure well. Diana less so… She begins this period with the feeling that she might die of boredom or anxiety. For Allen, who sees his relationship faltering for the first time, it’s time to ask some serious questions and take a big risk after 30 years together: leaving Diane to rekindle the fire and get back together. Nouveau Depart is a double or nothing love story.
Karin Viard – Frank Dubosky, first! The idea of combining them in the same film seemed obvious, but it is a unique pairing that suggests we see Nouveau Départ, Philippe Lefebvre’s new comedy. This tandem, very good friends in real life, is one of the charms of this film: the two make a very complicit, funny and sometimes disturbing tandem.
To be clear, Karin Viard and Frank Dubosky already starred in the same movie a few years ago, in this case Les Visiteurs 3. But this is the first time they play opposite each other on the big screen.
Nouveau Départ presents itself as a well-established comedy of its time. If the screenplay doesn’t revolutionize the genre, we’ll appreciate the small literary discoveries and interest in romantic relationships in the post #MeToo era. The screenplay was conceived by director Philippe Lefebvre, with the support of novelist Maria Pourchette. The latter is one of the most outstanding authors of this literary season with the release of a book West (published by Stock), also specifically interested in male-female relationships in the post #MeToo era.
“The complexity of romantic relationships, with a detached transgression in a comedic mode, breaking classic stereotypes and betting life on the decision, definitely attracted me.Maria Pourshet explains in the press kit.
He adds: “Like many men of his generation and profession, he is extremely cautious in this matter, as sensitivity on the matter is self-exacerbating. It’s true, I was there to say that we could move the cursor without being mean or misogynistic.”
Among the themes highlighted in the film, apart from romantic relationships and mid-life crisis, is the theme of “empty nest syndrome”. It’s a problem particularly supported by Lisa Azuelos’ comedy My Baby. Or more recently discussed in Toni en famille by Nathan Ambrozione with Camille Cotin.
It’s a gem of preschool cinema: Camille Cotin impresses in Toni en famille
“Children leaving their parents’ home to live their own lives – what we call the empty nest syndrome – seemed like a good starting point., explains Philippe Lefebvre in the press kit. (…) It seemed to me that the theme was quite universal. Together with my co-author Maria Purchet, we decided to embark on an adventure into comedy without losing realism, following fifty-year-olds Diane and Allen, who find themselves face to face and in all situations. After the younger left.”
Fresh Start, 10 Days Without Mom, Double Zero… These comedies are remakes and you (maybe) didn’t know!
Pay attention to the peculiarities of this film: it is a remake of the Argentine film released in France in 2019 called Return of Flame (El Amor Menos Pensado), starring Ricardo Darin and Mercedes Moran.
Find all the movie releases of the week
Philippe Lefebvre’s New Departure, written by Philippe Lefebvre and Maria Pourchette with Karin Viard, Franck Dubosk, Tom Lieb, Youssef Hyde and Clotilde Kuraus, opens in theaters this Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
