MY NIGHT AT MAUD’S
then THE COLLECTIONIST (again) and PAULINE AT THE BEACH.
then CLAIRE’S KNEE
then PERCIVAL
Next step – My Night at Mauds
Then – The Aviators Wife
Well, try to watch the period films by Rohmer, like “La Marquise d’O…” (1976), “Percevall le Gallois” (1978) and my all time favorite “L’Anglaise et le duc” (2001).
Well, try to watch the period films by Rohmer, like “La Marquise d’O…” (1976), “Percevall le Gallois” (1978) and my all time favorite “L’Anglaise et le duc” (2001).
Rohmer is one of those directors who makes great films about subjects that sound as if they have no potential whatsoever. He makes films like “My Night at Maud’s” and “Chloe in the Afternoon” that are not about getting the girl, but which raise the question as to why we pursue the girl in the first place, what makes that girl so valuable, what is it we want with that girl, and what is it we want in general. He makes direct and intelligent films about moral and emotional confusion. His films feed you intellectually and emotionally. He’s a first class example of the proposition that a film can be deeply literary without being dull.
I own a VHS copy of “Perceval” that appears to be pan and scan. I’m reluctant to purchase the DVD version for the same reason. Does anyone know the aspect ratio of this film? 1:66 to 1, perhaps?
CLAIRE’S KNEE is a beautiful film. I haven’t seen it in many years.
Pauline at the Beach is a very good Rohmer from the 80s. That whimsical touch applied to misguided relationships. The Green Ray is also a good one.
The Comedies & Proverbs series is all very accessible and may make for a logical next step into Rohmer. Astree & Celadon is a bit more difficult, but I really liked it anyway.
My Night at Maud’s
&
Chloe in the Afternoon, or Love in the Afternoon
are the two I’ve seen. They were both great, and very similar. Both feature a guy straining under monogamy, and considering his options until he has a philosophical crisis that he must resolve according to his notions about life, the universe, marriage, Pascal’s wager, catholicism, and agnosticism.
the two shorts, girl at the monceau bakery and suzanne’s career, that kick off the six moral tales are really quite fun, full of what seems like a more spontaneous energy as to where the others seem a bit more reserved, maybe more mature. you really can’t go wrong with eric rohmer as he is the ultimate example of the old jean renoir quote, “that a good director essentially make the same film over and over again.”
@JUAN CP – Man, your thread is four months old, so perhaps you’ve seen most of Rohmer’s movies already. If not, here are my recommendations (not in order), just in case…
LA BOULANGERE DE MONCEAU – One of his early shorts, it actually stars a young Barbet Schroeder, as a young man searching for a girl, then met another one in the process.
THE AVIATOR’S WIFE
A TALE OF SPRINGTIME
MY NIGHT AT MAUD’S
LE RENDEZVOUS DE PARIS – a collection of shorts, from late ‘90s.
MY GIRLFRIEND’S BOYFRIEND – another one of Rohmer’s complex-relationship charmers.
CLAIRE’S KNEE- ok, you can save the other ones for later, but this one is a must-see.
Your problem with Rohmer will be what to skip, what not to watch. It’s a big problem. I’m going to have to do some research … will try to get back to you if I can come up with anything.
I haven’t seen a film by him and have only heard him talked about a little. What would be a good starting point for him?
Drew: as per my post further up, the Comedies & Proverbs series are all quite easy to get into. I’d say Pauline at the Beach is a pretty decent starting point.
Rohmer has a deft gossamer-light touch, deals a lot in youthful relationships. Wrongly considered too talky, he’s more “cinematic”, visually expressive, than credited, though his scripts, sometimes with improvisations, are superb. A feel for seasons, especially summer, small gestures and details, and settings as a background to emotions (Rossellini’s Voyage to Italy an influence), and with an interest in moral dilemmas and temptations. There’s often a beguiling freshness and gentle sensuality to his films. Also a fine colourist, and sometimes charmingly romantic eg The Green Ray, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend. The 20 films i’ve seen by him have brought me consistent pleasure, hardly a dud (Triple Agent and Marquise of O the only real disappointments, though not really typical)
My faves: The Green Ray, Claire’s Knee, My Night with Maud, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend.
Juan C.P.
I have to confess that until an hour ago, I had never seen a Rohmer.
The name has been on my To See list, but never found the moment.
I’m actually glad it just came in play.
Anyways, just saw A Summer’s Tale.
Such a simple story. Honest. True.
What do you people think are my next steps in my newfound Rohmer era?
I know I’ll see Autum, Winter, and Spring.
Doing further research on him, I realized that this was my second Rohmer.
I had seen The Collectionist before.