“Out of Season” (2024) – When Old Love Knocks on the Door of the Past

Out of Season (Hors-saison) is a French romantic drama film released in 2024 under the direction of director Stéphane Brizé. The film tells the story of the unexpected reunion between two people who used to love each other, now both have families, but are still caught up in the vortex of unresolved emotions.

Mathieu (Guillaume Canet) is a famous actor, but when he turns 50, he begins to doubt himself and decides to withdraw from a big play to find peace. He goes to a coastal resort in Quiberon, a place that is associated with old memories.

“Out of Season” (2024)

Here, he accidentally meets Alice (Alba Rohrwacher), a love from 15 years ago. Alice is now a piano teacher, living a stable life with her family in this town. Both are married and have children, but the moment of reunion stirs up emotions that seem to have been dormant. Old stories, unspoken words, doubts about their own choices gradually emerge, making them face themselves and what they have lost.

Brizé delicately depicts the complex thoughts of people entering middle age – where we begin to question past decisions. Mathieu always struggles between the spotlight and the desire to regain inner balance. Alice, although seemingly satisfied with her current life, is still haunted by the “what ifs” of the past.

Guillaume Canet’s performance brings a deep Mathieu – a man who is both strong and vulnerable, tormented by regrets. Alba Rohrwacher is also excellent in portraying Alice – a woman standing between the boundary between real happiness and vague longing. Their combination makes the unfinished love story become real and emotional.

The film was shot in Quiberon, a peaceful coastal area that also has a melancholy feel during the off-season. Cinematographer Antoine Heberlé took full advantage of this setting to create a space that reflects the character’s mood. The faded colors and slow pace of the film further emphasize the loneliness and deep inner thoughts.

Despite its slow pace, Out of Season is not simply a story of reunion between two old friends but also a journey of inner exploration. It is a work that makes viewers question their own choices in life.

With a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has received much praise from critics. If you love contemplative stories about love, middle age and missed opportunities, Out of Season is definitely a film not to be missed.