EFF: A Tale of Autumn (1998)

Conte d'automne

Inspired by classic American romantic comedies and set among the golden vineyards of the Rhône Valley, the warm and breezy final film in Rohmer’s tetralogy concerns a reserved middle-aged winegrower and widow Magali, who feels isolated now that her son and daughter have left home. Simultaneous attempts by Magali’s son’s girlfriend and her best friend to find her a suitor create a series of comic misunderstandings that are pure Rohmer in revealing the humour in human folly. Rohmer interrogates the distinctly autumnal concepts of growth and change amongst a cast of largely middle-aged characters with a playful compassion, resulting in one of his most wistful and beguiling comedies.

Awards & Festivals

Venice Film Festival 1998 – Best Screenplay
New York Film Festival 1998 – Official Selection

Screens as part of Éric Rohmer's Tales of the Four Seasons.

Rating

G

Duration

111 min

Country

France

Language

French (English subtitles)

Cast

Béatrice Romand, Marie Rivière, Alain Libolt, Didier Sandre

Director

Éric Rohmer

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