Avril (2006)

A would-be nun pays a visit to an outside world that's full of surprises in this comedy-drama from France. Avril (Sophie Quinton) never knew her parents; rather than keep her, her folks left her on the doorstep of a convent, where she was raised by the nuns, led by Sister Bernadette (Miou-Miou). Avril has long intended to join the only family she's ever known at the convent, but Sister Bernadette gently but firmly suggests she should take the opportunity to see the larger world before she turns her life over to the Lord. The suggestion has been nagging at Avril for some time, and when she and her fellow novices are supposed to spend a weekend in silent meditation at the chapel, she takes the opportunity to sneak away for a few days. Avril's attempts to learn something about her parents has led her to discover she has a twin brother, and she decides it's time she met him. Avril hitches a ride to visit her brother David (Clement Sibony), catching a lift with Pierre (Nicolas Duvauchelle) and arriving in time to discover he's about to leave for a weekend getaway. David invites Avril along, but to her surprise, he also brings along Jim (Richaud Valls), his significant other; Pierre ends up tagging along, and as Avril gets to know her brother and his boyfriend, she also notices that Pierre seems to have taken a keen interest in her. Avril was the first feature film from writer and director Gerald Hustache-Mathieu. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi