A Winter's Tale (1992)

Average rating

(56%)

Starring:	Charlotte Véry \| Frédéric van den Driessche
Director:	Eric Rohmer
Studio:	ARTIFICIAL EYE
Run time:	109 mins
Genres:	Drama \| Romance \| World Cinema
Languages:	French
Subtitles:	English
Released:	September 26, 2005

After a whilwind summer love and unfortunate circumstances, Charles and Felicie lose contact. Five years on Felicie reminisces of that summer...

Rating of 4 stars out of 5

Eric Rohmer is unique in world cinema for his ability to fashion fully fleshed characters to persuade us to become utterly absorbed in the petty problems that beset lives that are every bit as ordinary as our own. This second of his Four Seasons series reveals once more his unfailing insight into the human condition. Exploring the emotions, confusions and contradictions attendant on romance, this witty adult fairy tale, set in the heart of the callous city, is a joy to behold thanks to the naturalism of its performances and the sublime subtlety of its direction.

Highest rated reviews

16 out of 17 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 4 stars
Another film by master Rohmer

DMuller from , 1st November, 2005

Fans of Eric Rohmer won’t be disappointed with this film. It’s the story of a woman who loses track of his boyfriend because of a stupid mistake. Eric Rohmer’s films don’t have much of a plot. The interest lies on the characters, how they behave and interact with each other and how they express their opinions and thoughts. These are very ordinary but highly articulate characters who devise a plan to reach happiness and stick to it stubbornly. Many of them try to rationalise their emotions, and they make the other characters know about their ideas in lengthy, intelligent (though not always necessarily profound) dialogues. The storyline in a Rohmer film is always presented in a very uncomplicated way: not much music, no flashbacks and simple (though not rudimentary) camerawork. The effect is rather surprising because of the contrast with other more conventional (?) films. The fact is that Eric Rohmer’s fans get hooked by his style. If you’ve heard about Rohmer and are intrigued about his films, this is a good film to start with. Be warned: the simplicity of the plot in his films puts many people off.

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Most recent reviews

*** May contain spoilers ***

Rated 2 stars
Mucking about with blokes

A Customer from Buckfastleigh, 30th October, 2008

Yet another Eric Rohmer film with an irritating female in the lead role. It has to be Rohmer's directing; he wants you to see conflicted modern females as preciously, worthily, troubled. Whereas all I see is precious, useless, self-absorption. The Felicie (Charlotte Very) in this film has 2 ongoing boyfriends in love with her who she doesn't love; Loic, a 'sweet' but egg-headed, book-wormish, christian wop; and Maxence - also sweet - but a jowly, portly, hairdressing wimp. And a 3rd boyfriend, absent - 'Charles' - who she does love (and has a kid by) but hasn't seen for 5 years. I didn't get why Loic and Maxence were bothering with or putting up with her. 'What's the attraction guys?' i kept thinking. Cus i ain't seeing any. To be the centre of and be controlling 2 competing boyfriends you gotta have magnetic attraction, be a sexual diva; or have charisma, the charming allure of a virginal damsel (in distress) But this woman ain't got no charisma or charm. And she ain't sexy either. Neurotic, yes. A capricious mucker about with blokes feelings, yes. 'What do you want men to do? Grovel at your feet?' says poor Loic. Probably. That's what spoilt Princesses like her like to be happening. A pain in the backside with all her vacillating, self-regarding, air-headededness she is. 'I love you, not enough to live with you, only to ruin your life' she says to poor old Loic. I wouldn't have minded slapping her tight a--- then (he should of) The 2 boys (friends) indulge her in her f--nying about. I suppose you could call how fickle she is whimsical. They're too nice or 'sweet' that's their trouble. Far too tolerant ( i kept thinking) Anyway, 'her' Charles is finally returned to her life, by accident, on a bus. So she can go live all happily ever after with him. Good riddance. Or maybe he'll get as fed up of her as i was eventually - and f--k off for good. I would.

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