Eric Rohmer: Comedies and Proverbs

Directed by ERIC ROHMER

Starring MARIE RIVIÈRE PASCALE OGIER AMANDA LANGLET

1981-87

Released 20 APRIL

Blu-ray

The great French filmmaker Eric Rohmer mostly made films which were individual fragments of, and finishing with 1987’s . Lack of space and the need for brevity force me to highlight two pristine gems in a set full of them: the first is 1984’s , which is powered by an extraordinary, subtly emotive lead turn from Pascale Ogier, who tragically died aged 25 before the film was released. It’s a study of city versus suburb, and wryly comments on the different types of men associated with those distinct urban spaces. Ogier’s Louise flits back and forth, trying to decide where and with whom she attains the greater feeling of contentment. The writing and the staging are typically masterful, and the film also introduces one of the director’s pet motifs: the dramatic possibilities of indecision.