2014 Film OCD #150 - A Summers Tales is a late movie from Eric Rohmer, and it feels just as vital and fun as his early films. Rohmers films frequently revolve around water, perhaps the better for self reflection, and young men testing their principles amidst a choice to be made about a woman. Here, Rohmer goes all out presenting the protagonist, Gaspard, with three women to choose between, the fickle Lena, the sensual Solene, and Margot, who hes completely comfortable with but who only wants to be friends, over a summer holiday. The result is a ton of fun as the tangled web of Gaspards interactions, promises, and attractions, just get him in deeper and deeper over his head. Rohmer was an old man when he made the film, but hes not passing judgment on youth but rather remembering what it was like to be uncertain about a great many things. How hard is it to differentiate between love, lust, infatuation, and friendship? Especially if you are inexperienced. How difficult is it to keep a promise and how can it go awry? How often do we lie to ourselves and others, even when we think were being honest? Gaspard and Margot (played wonderfully by Amanda Langlet) take long walks together having deep soul searching conversations, which completely reminded me of the Before series, and the one thing that is clear is how little they know themselves. Rohmer wraps the philosophical musing in a little trifle of stakes, yet it feels important that Gaspard work out what he really wants. Perhaps it feels more vital because in this type of story the protagonist could fail. Ultimately, you can say that he comes to a decision that feels true and perhaps the best possible outcome, although it doesnt entirely work out as planned. And you can point that Gaspard finally appears to understand his priorities. Maybe. Thats the beauty of Rohmers storytelling. He can create these little Gordian knots of movies where you can debate the outcome after the fact. Between his long takes, his reliance on dialogue, and his restrained shooting and editing style, hes a combination of Woody Allen, Linklater, and Ozu. He really was a master. A Summers Tale was made in 1996 and only released in the US this year. It feels both classical and fresh, reserved and funny, simple and complex, all at the same time. And it looks great, especially with the warm seaside environment in the dead of winter. Really, it was one of the best theatrical experiences Ive had this year, just a tonic, and I just want to gush over it.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 00:43:45 +0000
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