Time to Leave

Director Francois Ozon, whose previous films have often taken stylistic chances, opts for a more conventional approach here in telling the story of a young gay man confronting a terminal illness. Time to Leave (a better translation of the original French title would actually be The Time Remaining) stars handsome Melvil Poupaud as Romain, a successful fashion photographer with a live-in boyfriend and family problems, particularly with his single-parent sister. After a fainting spell, Romain undergoes medical tests and is diagnosed with inoperable cancer. Forgoing treatment, Romain breaks off with his partner, while also reaching out to his sister—although he only reveals his medical condition to his grandmother (veteran actress Jeanne Moreau), whom he visits at her rural home (where, in flashbacks, he recalls his youth in a series of tender and affecting scenes). Given this is a French film, there's a subplot involving a childless young couple who appeal to Romain to act as a surrogate father. Plot-wise, the film is a tearjerker, but Ozon and his cast present the material without mawkishness, so that it's much more moving than manipulative. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a “making of” documentary that, at 75 minutes, is nearly as long as the film itself, deleted scenes, and a trailer. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a solid drama.] (F. Swietek)