by Hudson Moura
Meet the Leroys by Florent Bernard dives into the emotional turmoil and bittersweet nostalgia of a family on the verge of a significant change. With José Garcia and Charlotte Gainsbourg leading the cast, the film portrays a couple deciding to spend one last weekend together with their children before determining the future of their relationship. The goal: to remind themselves of the love and bonds that once held them together. If Charlotte Gainsbourg’s character still wants to leave by the end of the weekend, they can part ways, knowing they’ve shared a final, meaningful time as a family.
What starts as a simple family gathering quickly becomes an exploration of unresolved emotions, past mistakes, and the tender yet complicated ties that hold the Leroys together. The film revisits memories and reignites youthful spirits as the family members confront both the joys and the pain they’ve shared. Secrets buried deep in the past resurface, such as when José Garcia’s character asks, “Do you hate me for asking you to have an abortion five years ago?” This delicate moment underscores the complexity of their relationship and the emotional weight they’ve been carrying.
The dialogue is one of the film’s strengths, particularly the lines delivered by the mother, played by Gainsbourg. Her character is reflective, observant, and yet, at times, blind to the larger emotional landscape unfolding before her. She fears her husband will drag the family into the same old ‘weird’ “corners of the past” she’s desperate to forget. Her candidness cuts through the tension: “Whenever we express our feelings in this family, it’s considered ‘too much,’” she says. “You’re like your father. You never cry. I’m the only one who cries like an idiot. But it’s fine—it means you’re not unhappy.”
In Meet the Leroys, a relationship shift is not portrayed as the destruction of a family but rather as a change in direction. It’s a sensitive and heartfelt look at how family ties evolve, even when relationships falter.
As they work through the weekend, the father realizes that reconnecting with his wife means also mending his relationship with their children, who have suffered the most from the family’s emotional distance. The film poignantly shows how family bonds persist even when a relationship falters. “The real love is not being able to live without the other,” the father says at one point. The son counters with wisdom, “Maybe you’re just afraid of being alone.” The film continually questions the meaning of love and family and whether a change in relationship status is the end or simply a new beginning.
Beyond the script, the soundtrack enhances the film’s emotional depth. It underscores nostalgic moments for the characters while acting as its own entity—a separate voice that comments on the unfolding dramedy, often elevating key scenes to emotional peaks. In many ways, the music becomes another character, embodying the bittersweet tone of the film and guiding viewers through the highs and lows of the family’s journey.
The film’s exploration of love, loss, and the uncertainty of the future makes it relatable for anyone who has experienced the complexities of family life. Through its nuanced performances, particularly from Gainsbourg, the film reminds us that while the structure of a family may change, the emotional connections that define it can persist.
With its blend of humor, heartache, and introspection, Meet the Leroys offers a portrait of family life that’s both tender and full of emotional depth—a film that will resonate with many viewers. The film will be presented at Cinéfranco—Festival International du film francophone, from November 1 to 10, 2024, at the Carlton Cinema in Toronto.