Leaving is a French drama film released in 2009, directed by Catherine Corsini and starring Kristin Scott Thomas. The film revolves around Suzanne, a well-to-do married woman and mother in the south of France who feels trapped in her idle bourgeois lifestyle. Despite being settled in a happy life and enjoying the luxuries, she feels restless and unfulfilled.
As Suzanne starts working as a physiotherapist, she meets Ivan, a Spanish handyman, hired to renovate her room. Ivan catches the eye of Suzanne, and the attraction between the two is instantaneous. Despite being married, Suzanne cannot help but give in to the passion between them, and the affair between the two intensifies.
Initially, Suzanne attempts to keep her infidelity hidden, but as the affair continues, it leads to a series of complications. Her husband becomes suspicious, and the consequences of her actions start to unravel, leading to an emotional climax.
The film portrays Suzanne's journey of self-discovery and the consequences of her decisions. It highlights the class differences between her and Ivan, the burden of societal expectations and the complexities of fulfilling one's desires.
The film received critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of a woman's struggle to find herself and her passion in contemporary society, with Kristin Scott Thomas' performance praised for its intensity and nuance. Leaving is a powerful and poignant portrayal of the choices one must make in life and the consequences that come with them.