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Review
This is the final chapter in Rohmer’s ambitious Four Seasons cycle of films, and in many
ways it is the sunniest and most entertaining. As we have come to expect of Rohmer,
his script sparkles with intelligence and warmth, whilst his characters are fully formed,
likeable and completely believable. What this film shows more than anything is Rohmer’s
understanding of the aspirations and behaviour of all his protagonists – men and women,
teenagers and mature adults alike. His characters behave so naturally that, by the
end of the film, you film as if you almost know them personally – and, often, that you
wish you could meet them again in real life.
The theme for this film is maturity, achieving fulfilment in middle-age. The autumnal theme, complete with the wine harvest, provides an appropriate backdrop against which to set an engaging personal story: a lonely middle-aged woman’s hopes to find a new husband. Béatrice Romand is delightful as the wine-grower Magali, giving a convincing and moving performance as the woman who secretly yearns for love but who seems resigned to the fact that she will never find it. Although she is the centre-piece of the film, she does not eclipse the supporting characters, all of whom seem equally well-formed and have their own personal traumas. It is true that there is not much in the way of a plot, but with such beautiful location filming and such exquisite writing, that hardly seems to matter a jot. For Rohmer what matters most is exploring human relationships through a simple, unconvoluted story, using natural but incisive dialogue to add depth and purpose to his characterisation. In this film, he achieves that goal and gives us one of the most insightful and beautiful works of French cinema in recent years. © James Travers 2001
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Director:
Eric Rohmer
Starring: Marie Rivière, Béatrice Romand, Alain Libolt, Didier Sandre, Alexia Portal Synopsis
Magali is a middle-aged widow and wine-grower living in the Rhone valley. She pines
for a new man in her life, but doubts whether she will ever find someone. Her friend,
Isabelle, puts a lonely hearts ad in a newspaper and manages to get a response.
All she has to do now is contrive for Magali and her prospective new boyfriend to meet.
Unfortunately, Magali’s son’s girlfriend has also decided to try a bit of matchmaking,
pairing Magali off with her ex-boyfriend...
Credits
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