Eric Rohmer: The Early Works

Star Review

This compilation of three of Eric Rohmer's first, and rarely seen, films is a fascinating glimpse into the early work of one of France's most talented auteurs. His first film, Le Signe du Lion, is a bright and breezy New Wave curio in which an American ex-pat spends all his money and becomes a tramp only to enjoy an unexpected happy ending. There is a priceless cameo from Godard as a strange party guest, and the evocation of Paris is beautifully achieved.
La Boulangere de Monceau and La Carrière De Suzanne are the first two films made as part of Rohmer's ‘six moral tales’, all of which were based around Rohmer's simple statement: ‘while the narrator is looking for a woman, he meets another one, who occupies his affection until he finds the first woman again.’ Rohmer's gift for dialogue and uncanny eye for male behavior is to the fore, particularly in La Carrière…, and the enigmatic female characters would set the mould for a string of his later, ‘unknowable’ women.

Alex Davidson on 6th November 2006
View all 170 of Alex Davidson's reviews

Film Description

A collection of three early films from Eric Rohmer. Features Le Signe Du Lion (1959), La Boulangere De Monceau (1963) and La Carriere De Suzanne (1963). Le Signe is a breezy and entertaining New Wave film in which an ex-pat falls on hard times. La Boulangere and La Carriere make up the first two parts of Rohmer's six morality tales, and are sharply observed films about male desire.

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DVD Extras

• 2 discs. Le Signe Du Lion theatrical trailer
• Nadja A Paris and Charlotte Et Son Steak short films
• Eric Rohmer biography.

Film Details

Cast

Barbet Schroeder

Technical Details