FILM

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Rohmer X 2. Eric Rohmer (1920–2010), a co-founder of the French New Wave, directed over 50 films, in addition to garnering acclaim as a critic and novelist. Among the tributes that poured in upon his death early last year was one from French president, Nicolas Sarkozy: “Classic and romantic, wise and iconoclastic, light and serious, sentimental and moralistic, he created the ‘Rohmer’ style, which will outlive him.” Take the opportunity to appreciate his talent with these two films released consecutively in the 1980s, both starring one of his favorite actresses, Marie Rivière.

Le Rayon vert (Summer)
Directed by Eric Rohmer
1986 (French with subtitles)
France
98 minutes

Declared the best movie of the year in 1986 by the Village Voice’s Andrew Sarris, Le Rayon vert is frequently cited as a career triumph in a filmography that includes numerous great films.

Rohmer’s tale, the fifth in his “Comedies & Proverbs” cycle, follows the independent but insecure Delphine (Marie Rivière), a newly single young Parisian who cannot find a holiday companion for the month of August, and meets and rejects, glides, and stumbles in her longing for connection. Overhearing a discussion of Jules Verne’s The Green Ray, Delphine becomes fascinated with seeing the elusive meteorological event and the promise that comes with it.

Rohmer regular Rivière, who also cowrote her largely self-created role, delivers one of the most captivating lead performances in any of the filmmaker’s works.

“Now here’s a summer movie to get excited about.” —Time Out New York