Les Rendez-vous de Paris

Rating:
Summary: "I feel your pain."
Review: Director Eric Rohmer's film "Rendezvous in Paris" is composed of three short films which examine the nature of infidelity. Each film centres on the relationships of young couples who are in varying degrees of commitment.

The first film, "Rendez-vous de 7 heures," is the story of Esther (Clara Bellar) and Horace (Antoine Basler)--both students in Paris who have agreed to a mutually exclusive relationship. When Horace makes excuses why he can't meet Esther one night, her suspicions are aroused. Esther acknowledges that Horace was a bit naughty with girls before he met her, but she finds it difficult to conceive that he may actually be unfaithful. An odd chain of events leads Esther to the truth.

The second film, "Les Bancs de Paris" is the story of a young woman who begins an illicit relationship with a young, single professor. The woman (and we never know her name) lives with her boyfriend, Benoit, but that relationship is stale and unsatisfying. The professor and the woman engage in a number of assignations, and the film almost serves as a tour guide to Paris as the couple brave all sorts of weather to meet in public parks and various Parisian landmarks. The professor tries to pressure the woman to consumate their relationship, but she is quite content to dally.

The third film, "Mere et Enfant 1907" is the story of a painter who takes a casual date to the museum, but they have nothing in common. It's soon clear that the date is not going well. A young woman sitting in front of a Picasso painting in the museum catches his eye, and he abandons his date to pursue the stranger who says she is on her honeymoon. Even though she's a newlywed, she dallies with the idea of an illicit relationship with the painter.

The second film is really the strongest of the three--in spite of the fact that the characters remain nameless and the viewer is not privy to their lives beyond the assignations. In this film, Rohmer captures the bizarre dynamic of infidelity--the fact that the intruder (the professor) is not a separate human being from the soon-to-be cuckolded Benoit--the professor's fate is inexplicably entwined with Benoit's. As the lover, he is the antidote for the stale relationship, and he is chosen BECAUSE of Benoit. The woman makes it very clear that the professor is an object--an object of distraction and the catalyst to remove her from the relationship, but the professor fails to grasp this concept and remains confused about the true nature of his role until the end. I love Rohmer films, and this is one of his best--displacedhuman.

Rating:
Summary: "I feel your pain."
Review: Director Eric Rohmer's film "Rendezvous in Paris" is composed of three short films which examine the nature of infidelity. Each film centres on the relationships of young couples who are in varying degrees of commitment.

The first film, "Rendez-vous de 7 heures," is the story of Esther (Clara Bellar) and Horace (Antoine Basler)--both students in Paris who have agreed to a mutually exclusive relationship. When Horace makes excuses why he can't meet Esther one night, her suspicions are aroused. Esther acknowledges that Horace was a bit naughty with girls before he met her, but she finds it difficult to conceive that he may actually be unfaithful. An odd chain of events leads Esther to the truth.

The second film, "Les Bancs de Paris" is the story of a young woman who begins an illicit relationship with a young, single professor. The woman (and we never know her name) lives with her boyfriend, Benoit, but that relationship is stale and unsatisfying. The professor and the woman engage in a number of assignations, and the film almost serves as a tour guide to Paris as the couple brave all sorts of weather to meet in public parks and various Parisian landmarks. The professor tries to pressure the woman to consumate their relationship, but she is quite content to dally.

The third film, "Mere et Enfant 1907" is the story of a painter who takes a casual date to the museum, but they have nothing in common. It's soon clear that the date is not going well. A young woman sitting in front of a Picasso painting in the museum catches his eye, and he abandons his date to pursue the stranger who says she is on her honeymoon. Even though she's a newlywed, she dallies with the idea of an illicit relationship with the painter.

The second film is really the strongest of the three--in spite of the fact that the characters remain nameless and the viewer is not privy to their lives beyond the assignations. In this film, Rohmer captures the bizarre dynamic of infidelity--the fact that the intruder (the professor) is not a separate human being from the soon-to-be cuckolded Benoit--the professor's fate is inexplicably entwined with Benoit's. As the lover, he is the antidote for the stale relationship, and he is chosen BECAUSE of Benoit. The woman makes it very clear that the professor is an object--an object of distraction and the catalyst to remove her from the relationship, but the professor fails to grasp this concept and remains confused about the true nature of his role until the end. I love Rohmer films, and this is one of his best--displacedhuman.

Rating:
Summary: Vicarious Paris Experience
Review: Ever wonder what it's like to be a romantic in the most romantic city in the world?

IF so, this movie is for you. The three stories are nice, simple, and comprensive. You'll enjoy them, and enjoy the sites.

Just sit back, and enjoy the trip through lovely Paris, France . . .

Rating:
Summary: One of his lesser works
Review: I have seen all but 2 of Eric Rohmer's feature films, and being that he is my favorite director I am very critical of what I like and don't like. This movie is ideal for two types of people: Francophiles who enjoy different sights and sounds of beautiful Paris (at times the movie is almost like a travelogue, especially in the 2nd story) and Eric Rohmer completists. This movie was a real treat compared to Rohmer's last few movies, which were becoming more tedious and uninteresting since "A Tale of Springtime". This movie was made at the same time Rohmer was in the midst of his Four Seasons series and pales in comparison to any of them. Rohmer fans will love it and people looking for a slight, forgettable talkfest in Paris. For anyone looking to enter the world of Rohmer, I'd recommend the two films that immediately proceeded this one, "A Summer's Tale" & "Autumn Tale" over this

Rating:
Summary: Vicarious Paris Experience
Review: Really good movie, 3 interesting stories, good acting, great scenery of Paris. The only problem is the quality of the VHS picture. I purchased a new copy from this store, and watched it the very first time. I was very disappointed with the picture that kept moving constantly.