A Week's Vacation, also known as Une semaine de vacances, is a 1980 French drama film directed by Bertrand Tavernier. The film stars Nathalie Baye as Laurence, a schoolteacher in Lyon who takes a week's leave to rest and reflect on her life.
Laurence is a dedicated teacher, but she is feeling burnt out and disillusioned with her profession. She has a strained relationship with her husband, Pierre (Jean-Pierre Darroussin), and their young daughter, Louise (Cécile Tanner), who is struggling with school and behavioral issues. Laurence feels guilty for leaving them behind for the week, but she needs time to clear her head and find a new direction in life.
During her week's vacation, Laurence travels to the countryside and stays in a small hotel. She spends her days hiking, reading, and observing the people around her. She becomes friends with a man named Jacques (Gérard Lanvin), who is also on vacation, and they bond over their shared sense of loneliness and disillusionment.
As Laurence reflects on her life and her career, she begins to see things in a new light. She realizes that she has been neglecting her own needs and desires in favor of her job and her family. She also begins to see the joys and beauty in the simple things in life, such as spending time in nature and connecting with other people.
When Laurence returns home, she is a changed person. She is more relaxed, more confident, and more in touch with herself and her true passions. She is able to reconnect with her family and her students in a more meaningful way, and she finds hope for the future.
A Week's Vacation is a poignant and introspective film that explores themes of identity, purpose, and connection. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking time for oneself and finding meaning in the midst of the chaos and stress of everyday life.