Last Summer 2023

Last Summer 2023

Last Summer 2023
L’été dernier (original title)
1h 44m | Drama, Thriller | Release date: September 13, 2023 (France)

Storyline:

Follows Anne, a brilliant lawyer who lives with her husband Pierre and their daughters. Anne gradually engages in a passionate relationship with Theo, Pierre’s son from a previous marriage, putting her career and family life in danger.

Connections
Remake of Dronningen (2019)

User review:

I believe the initial intention of “Last Summer” was to make the audience a bit uncomfortable and challenge their view on a controversial topic. However it is the lack of dynamics and tension that makes this film plain and dull. Eventhough the story itself is outrageous and shocking, that sadly doesn’t translate to the narrative. The scenes that should have been the most intense just pass by and the tale goes on. Personally I think what could have helped to build some gradation was to add some background music (there is no film score at all), that would have helped to depict the atmosphere of the scene more accurately. Something positive that I can say about “Last Summer” is the focus on the portrayal of female gaze and female pleasure, that is still missing in some productions today. But unfortunately overall it felt monotonous and I would also say incomplete…

Director: Catherine Breillat
Writers: Pascal Bonitzer, Catherine Breillat, Maren Louise Käehne
Stars: Léa Drucker, Samuel Kircher, Olivier Rabourdin
Countries of origin: France, Norway
Language: French
Also known as: Last Summer
Filming locations: Paris, France