French Exit

THE GIST: An aging, widowed, Manhattan socialite has been living for years beyond her means. Facing insolvency, she flees to Paris with her codependent son, a cat, and a bag of cash.

French Exit feels like a throwback to an earlier era, when Hollywood studios regularly produced fare for a more adult and discerning audience.

The script takes us through the events in the life of this woman at a good pace, alternating between dark comedy and slight tragedy.

Michelle Pfeiffer is magnificent, and Lucas Hedges is at his best. Two great actors playing in perfect synchronicity. Valerie Mahaffey is memorable in a smaller role.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely recommended if you think of cinema as an art form. 

Grade: 7.5