Le Genou de Claire (1970)
Directed by Eric Rohmer

Film Review

The fifth of Rohmer's six Moral Tales closely parallels the preceding tale Ma nuit chez Maud as it portrays a man who is betrothed to one woman but is tempted by another.  In Le Genou de Claire, the central character Jérôme regards love almost as an intellectual exercise which he reckons he has totally mastered, much to the understandable bewilderment of his female entourage.  The diplomat is fast approaching middle-age and, presumably after several amorous disappointments, is content to condemn himself to a passionless marriage.  Although he is attracted to the younger women he is seen flirting with in the film, he suppresses his desire through cold reason and pompous self-righteousness.  No surprise that he prefers the climate of Sweden to that of France.

With its emphasis on intelligent dialogue and sumptuous photography, this film provided the template for the kind of film which Rohmer would be best known for in future years.   Although most of the scenes lack the spontaneity of some of the director's more recent films, the quality of the script and acting makes this a compelling work.  Not for the first, or last, time, you are struck by Rohmer's perceptiveness and ability to articulate his ideas in such a hypnotic and eloquent manner.  It is also a pleasure to see Jean-Claude Brialy, that child of the New Wave, being given the opportunity to prove his calibre as an actor, something which Rohmer's New Wave contemporaries missed out on.

Film Synopsis

A 35 year old diplomat, Jérôme, takes a summer holiday in the picturesque French lakeside resort where he spent his childhood.   He meets up with an old friend, Aurora, a writer who is staying with another woman and her two teenage daughters, Laura and Claire.  Jérôme is soon to be married to the woman he has been attached to for the last six years, and declares that he has no interest in other women.  Aurora tempts him to flirt with Laura, who appears to be attracted to him.  When Jérôme fails to succumb to Laura's charms, he is instantly struck by Claire, and harbours an unquenchable desire to touch her knee...