French musical films, running parallel to Hollywood and Bollywood, have been defined by an intricate blend of reality mingled with dance and song sequences. Beginning with Jacques Demy, other French greats have tried their hand at this unique film genre. The originality of these musical narratives lies in their settings, using authentic locales and ordinary people that suddenly burst into song or dance. This is a tradition noted in more recent works such as Jacques Audiard's film 'Emilia Perez'.

In 'Leave One Day' (Partir Un Jour), first-time director Amélie Bonnin keeps this singular tradition alive, immersing the audience in a small-town drama where people sporadically start singing and dancing in a myriad of locales, such as greasy spoon kitchens and county fairs. It follows the story of Cécile, played by popular French singer Juliette Armanet, who returns home to help her parents' struggling roadside restaurant.

The course of events in Cécile's life is somewhat predictable, yet it is the unexpected song sequences that give the film its unique flavor. The film’s premise may seem bleak, but it refrains from diving into miserabilism, maintaining an optimistic tone largely due to its musical sequences incorporated without prior indication. The film doesn't rely heavily on original music, but introduces jukebox hits that have been re-imagined, creating a karaoke or Spotify playlist-like atmosphere.

While 'Leave One Day' may perform best in Francophone countries, it offers an insight into a theme that resonates globally. Armanet delivers an impressive performance, embodying Cécile’s struggles with her newfound fame, her past and her pregnancy.

The film capstones with a nostalgic ice-skating rink scene, capturing the essence of the film's musical and thematic undertones. Bonnin's debut serves up a comfortable, easily palpable narrative, leaving the audience with a pleasant reminiscence that lingers as the last song fades.