Summer Hours (L'Heure d'été)

Adrienne (Juliette Binoche) is a New York-based designer, Frédéric (Charles Berling) an economics professor in Paris, and Jérémie (Jérémie Renier) a business executive based in China: These three diverging siblings come together at the country house of their mother Hélène (Edith Scob) to decide what to do it after she passes. A veritable museum of 19th century art and precious furniture, the estate has a value that could transcend family interests. This touching and universally relevant family drama from French filmmaker Olivier Assayas is a beautiful, almost Chekovian tale of contemporary adults who must finally face adulthood. Set over different seasons at the house, Summer Hours depicts the progressions and changes from one generation to the next, and also explores intimate and profound questions about art and its relationship to people. In French with English subtitles. Camera: Eric Gautier. Writer/Director: Olivier Assayas. (France 2008) 102 min.