Departure (2015 film)
| Departure | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Andrew Steggall |
| Written by | Andrew Steggall |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Brian Fawcett |
| Edited by | Dounia Sichov |
| Music by | Jools Scott |
Production companies | Motion Group Pictures Connectic Studio Amaro Films |
| Distributed by | Peccadillo Pictures (UK) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 109 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom France |
| Languages | English French |
Departure is a 2015 English–French independent coming-of-age romantic drama film written and directed by Andrew Steggall in his feature directorial debut. The film stars Juliet Stevenson, Alex Lawther, Phénix Brossard, Finbar Lynch, and Niamh Cusack.[1]
It premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 9 October 2015 before a UK theatrical release on 20 May 2016 through Peccadillo Pictures.[2][3]
Plot
Beatrice (Juliet Stevenson) and her teenage son Elliot (Alex Lawther) arrive in southern France to prepare their family holiday home for sale. Both mother and son are in transitional phases: Beatrice is confronting the breakdown of her marriage, while Elliot is experiencing a sexual awakening. Elliot becomes infatuated with Clément (Phénix Brossard), a local French teenager with a rebellious streak.
Over the course of a week, the family’s tensions, unspoken secrets, and shifting relationships unfold. Elliot’s friendship with Clément develops into a deeper, romantic bond, mirroring Beatrice’s own attempts to navigate emotional upheaval. Their stories converge in a meditation on desire, adolescence, and the dissolution of family ties.[4]
Cast
- Juliet Stevenson as Beatrice
- Alex Lawther as Elliot
- Phénix Brossard as Clément
- Niamh Cusack as Sally
- Finbar Lynch as Philip
- Patrice Juiff as François
- Guillaume Tobo as the butcher
- Danièle Catala as woman at the market
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 87% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10.[5][6] Variety positively noted the film's score and camera work but critiqued the "pretentious" dialogue.[7] Ryan Morris of Film Inquiry praised Lawther, Brossard, and Stevenson's performances, but criticized the visual metaphors and lack of character development.[8]
Awards
The Departure, along with Juliet Stevenson, Alex Lawther, and Phenix Brossard, received a special mention at the 2015 Dinard British Film Festival.[9][10]
References
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (18 January 2016). "Film Review: 'Departure'". Variety. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ Furlong, Natasha (9 October 2015). "London Film Festival 2015: Departure – Review". The Upcoming. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ "London Film Festival 2015: 'Mountains May Depart' + 'James White' + 'Departure'". PopMatters. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ "Departure". British Council: Films and Festivals. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
- ^ "Departure". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Departure". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (18 January 2016). "Film Review: 'Departure'". Variety. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ Morris, Ryan (8 March 2017). "DEPARTURE: A Love Story With An Identity Crisis". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ^ "'Couple In A Hole', '45 Years' triumph at Dinard". Screen. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
- ^ "Couple in a Hole triumphs at Dinard". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2025.