A Tale of Springtime (1990)
I knew nothing of this film or Rohmer and for unknown reasons it was just what I was in the mood for this evening. It exemplifies the sometimes mysterious magic of movies as it is a mostly plotless narrative with rather mundane conversations, yet utterly compelling from the very first scene. I have seen other films doing the same that were utterly boring, and it is hard to articulate when it works and when it doesn’t. One thing I do know, is that I love films set in big Parisian apartments, full of books and lived in furniture and rather messy decor. Especially in the 90s. I enjoyed being in the idyllic setting so much, that at some point almost lost track of the conversations but it didn’t really matter that much. Maybe it also meant I lost a little bit of touch towards the end when the fragile emotional state comes forward and the films turns from the mundane to the dramatic. The film intentionally leaves everything open, there is barely any resolve or even much changed for the character. What stands is a depiction of the friction and hesitation towards any sort of change. Definitely need more Rohmer.
Criterion Challenge 2026 - 29. Watch a film from any box set release
Rating: 4