Partir in Jour is an unexpected pick to open the most prestigious film festival in the world: a musical romantic comedy with a relatively unknown cast especially to foreign audiences and Amélie Bonnin's first feature-length film. It is not without its charms, and there are moments when it briefly finds a rhythm of its own, but taken as a whole it feels slight and, too often, uninspired. What could have been a modest, bittersweet diversion settles instead for something rather thinner, its good ideas insufficiently developed and its emotional beats too predictable to linger.
The premise is familiar but not without interest, particularly in a French context. A woman who has made a career as a chef in Paris returns to the small town she was born in when her father has a heart attack, reconnecting with old friends, family and dealing with unresolved feelings. There is something almost Hallmark-like in this structure: the city woman going back to her roots, rediscovering what she left behind, which remains unusual in French cinema and it works reasonably well.
The musical scenes with the whole "characters break into songs at an unexpected moment" works well the first time with Alors On Danse by Stromae. Unfortunately, this promise is not sustained, as the film progresses, the musical numbers become less convincing and increasingly perfunctory. What initially felt like a nicely done stylistic choice quickly loses its freshness, bar a scene at an ice-rink near the end.
This lack of development extends to the narrative itself. Once the premise is established, Partir un jour struggles to find new directions. Conflicts are introduced and resolved with minimal tension, and the emotional stakes remain low throughout. The film gestures towards nostalgia, regret and the weight of unspoken emotions, but rarely commits to exploring them with any depth.
The performances are a mixed affair, though a few stand out clearly. Juliette Armanet has a compelling screen presence and Bastien Bouillon is the film’s most engaging character and its saving grace. Known primarily for quieter, more serious roles, he is something of a revelation here. With his bleached hair, relaxed physicality and constant twinkle in his eyes, he brings an infectious energy that the film itself often lacks. His comic timing is assured, and he appears genuinely at ease with the material, embracing its lighter register without irony. Dominique Blanc, in a supporting role, is endearing bringing much humour to her character. However the rest of the supporting cast struggles, especially a trio of former childhood friends who seem to belong to another film.
Stylistically, the film remains safe throughout. The direction is competent but unadventurous, there is little sense of a strong visual or tonal identity which is a shame as the musical numbers in particular seemed like a missed opportunity.
Partir un Jour is not unpleasant, nor is it a complete misfire but a few elements aside, largely forgettable.
Review by Laurent de Alberti
Official Selection, Out of Competition
Star rating: ★★☆☆☆
Partir un Jour. Directed by Amélie Bonnin. Starring Juliette Armanet, Bastien Bouillon, Dominique Blanc...
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