One Fine Morning (Un Beau Matin)

When single mother Sandra (Léa Seydoux) bumps into Clémont (Melvil Poupaud), the pair soon spark a passionate romance, despite Clémont being married with a son. Meanwhile, Sandra is concerned about her father’s advancing dementia as she tries to find a suitable nursing home for him. Seeing his memory fade likewise makes her worry whether she, too, will suffer the same fate. But, as Clémont reminds her, it’s better to enjoy the small moments while you can. This is what writer-director’s Mia Hansen-Løve’s One Fine Morning is all about: it’s a celebration of the little things that make life worth living.

Seydoux’s vibrant performance is as colourful as the cinematography. This film bright and dazzling in terms of its presentation and central message. The actor’s unshakable charm is irresistible, her smile adding yet more colour to each scene. A joyous sense of humour is likewise peppered through the script, ensuring that viewers will have a fine time watching this one. Even when its time for the film to tap into its more serious subject matter, elation is never too far away, which is all part of the takeaway message.

Though the plot isn’t central to what makes this production so delightful, it’s nevertheless messy and occasionally scattered in its delivery. Huge narrative points are erased almost immediately after being introduced, which makes their inclusion redundant. Not only does this undo the drama that was created minutes earlier, but the lack of consequence given to serious developments also muddies the central message. This is especially the case when it comes to Clémont’s guilt surrounding his infidelity to his wife and son. The script dances around this plot point while never addressing it in any substantial way. As endearing as Poupaud’s performance is, his character is drastically underdeveloped. 

Colourful with a buoyant sense of humour, One Fine Morning is the embodiment of making the most out of every moment while we still can.

Andrew Murray

One Fine Morning (Un Beau Matin) does not have a UK release date yet.

Read more reviews and interviews from our London Film Festival 2022 coverage here.

For further information about the festival visit the official BFI website here.

Watch the trailer for One Fine Morning (Un Beau Matin) here: