An Autumn Tale

Star Review

An archetypal Rohmer comedy, set in the glorious sun-drenched vineyards of the Rhone Valley, this delightful picture is often cited as the best of his 'four seasons' films, and won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Starring The Green Ray's Marie Riviere as a married shop owner Isabelle, who matchmakes for her widowed friend, Magali (Beatrice Romand), a wine grower, the simple plot develops into a playful, charmingly-observed comedy of manners: the scene in which Isabelle and Magali wander around the latter's vineyard discussing how both wine and women age is a classic Rohmer moment. This is one of the breeziest and most likeable comedies since Bergman's Smiles Of A Summer Night, featuring normally sophisticated adults who retreat to adolescent whimsy when confronted by the glory of mutual attraction. The ever-changing moods of Magali are beautifully nuanced - Romand switches from insecurity to petulance to amusement to elation with beautiful naturalism - whilst the delightful party sequence that plays out over the end credits is the perfect full-stop to an eminently seductive film.

Alex Davidson on 7th July 2005

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Film Description

The last of the tales of the Four Seasons and arguably the best, it unfolds during a glorious Indian summer in Provence and tells of the relationships of the two fortysomething heroines. One is trying to find a husband for the other, who claims she is far too busy with her vineyard business to make time for any romantic distractions. As always with this most elegant and civilised of directors, this is wonderfully witty, beautifully performed entertainment.

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Isabelle contrives to find her friend Magali a lover. There follows a series of dates, loaded conversations, and an advert in the lonely hearts column. As the shadow... more >

Isabelle contrives to find her friend Magali a lover. There follows a series of dates, loaded conversations, and an advert in the lonely hearts column. As the shadows grow long, Rohmer ends his cycle and Magali meets Gerald. RA < less

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The fourth, and final, piece of Rohmers elegant and fondly regarded Four Seasons Quartet more >

The fourth, and final, piece of Rohmers elegant and fondly regarded Four Seasons Quartet < less

View all 106 of ’s reviews

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Film Details

Cast

Marie Riviere, Beatrice Romand

Technical Details