40
Bright Days Ahead means to be a casual, charming movie about a woman taking charge of her life, but its lightness gets unbearable; the film is so featherweight that it eventually blows away.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
60
Arizona Republic by Bill Goodykoontz
Bright Days Ahead offers an interesting twist on the May-December romance.
60
A romance not nearly as seductive as its lead actress.
70
Los Angeles Times by Gary Goldstein
The well-observed script touches on a number of everyday issues about the aging process — whether you're pushing 40 or passing 60 — that add a tender and enlightening layer to this engaging, leisurely paced film.
60
Ultimately, this is all about Caroline, and it's refreshing to see an optimistic story about an older woman who is funny, smart, and desirable, even if her happy life doesn't leave much room for conflict.
83
Entertainment Weekly by Leah Greenblatt
The script is wispy, but the performances (including Patrick Chesnais as Caroline’s prideful, devastated husband) shine.
67
Portland Oregonian by Marc Mohan
Even if her turn in Bright Days Ahead feels overly familiar, especially after Deneuve's recent "On My Way," Ardant is still possessed of the same Gallic poise and presence, and generally a joy to watch.
50
The New York Times by Stephen Holden
Struggling to get out from under the film’s too-cheery surface is a much more serious movie about grown-ups confronting the depredations of old age.