Summer Hours

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dave s When the elderly matriarch (Edith Scob) dies, her three children (Juliette Binoche, Charles Berling, Jeremie Renier) are tasked with handling the estate, consisting primarily of a large country home filled with family heirlooms and the valuable artwork created by their famous uncle. Summer Hours, directed by Olivier Assayas, is a meticulously paced family drama that delves into the interpersonal relations between family members and assesses the true value of personal belongings and modern art. As always, Assayas demonstrates his ability to perfectly frame and block shots, creating the ethereal vibe that seems to dominate all of his films. Admittedly, things take time to develop from a story perspective, but the payoff is considerable and well worth the wait. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review michael f Fascinating movie. Solid dialogue, well-acted, and building tension. First Assayas film seen is a major success. Unique characters, a bit of art world info, and a fast pace in a slow movie make for a great watch. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member If it were possible to give a six star rating, I would do so with Summer Hours. What a beautiful film - from the opening scene with the carefree grandchildren of Helene (Edith Scrob) running through the gardens, through the death of Helene, and the subtle, moving struggles of her three children deciding how to hold on to their past while living very different lives in the present -- through the end, with the spirited music of the grandchildren's generation playing as the final credits roll. Juliette Binoche is delightfully edgy and beautiful. The younger brother (Jeremie Renier, so riveting in The Child), is caring, egocentric, and quietly assertive. The older brother (Charles Berling) and his wife (Dominique Reymond) center the film, with their desire to maintain the family home conflicting with the desires of the two younger siblings and their own recognition of the difficult financial and familial responsibilities. Above all, the film is intelligent! Everyone is complete; no one is a caricature. The characters are conflicted, wise, foolish, kind, resentful, self-centered, loving. If a friend has never seen a contemporary French film, and you want them to receive a substantial and compelling introduction, this is the film. If you already appreciate French cinema and you love being transported to a beautiful, summery world of adult conflicts and simple joys, this is a film to watch. The subtle glances, the unspoken dialog, the distractions of work, the difficulties of being in the middle of two generations all depend on knowledge of adult relationships. The viewer participates in the film, feeling the complicated emotions. This is a remarkable film. The most complete and satisfying of all the movies Assayas has directed. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review Audience Member The movie opens with Helene's 75th birthday and her three children (with spouses) and grandchildren are gathered at the country estate, about an hour from Paris by train. Helene (played by Edith Scob, from Eyes Without A Face) is an art collector, or more specifically, the guardian of the art treasures of her uncle, a famous painter long deceased. The atmosphere is relaxed but a little wistful and Helene wants to talk about her will with her oldest son (played by Charles Berling) who is reluctant. Later, after Helene has passed, the three children (including Juliette Binoche as the daughter) discuss what to do with the house, the artworks, the memories. It is melancholy but real, not difficult, manageable -- but existential. A museum is contacted and a bequest is made. Director Olivier Assayas is interested in these people but also in the stuff in which time and energy and love have been devoted. There is a real sense of place and we as viewers also grow comfortable in the estate and feel a bit mournful as it is packed up. But after all, it is just stuff and Assayas seems to know this (or he is willing to contemplate it). Two out of three siblings have left France and their lives are elsewhere (as globalisation takes hold). Then, there is a shift to the younger generation, living their lives, building new memories perhaps, instilling their will and emotions into objects, places, music, and more. All that will later dissipate. But the film is so alive that it makes it all seem worth it nevertheless. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member I loved this movie. With great performances, Olivier brings to life so many common scenes on any family. It made me nostalgic in a way. The lunch. The laughs. The sitting together. The house. The detergents in the kitchen. And then how they stayed strong and united after the money decisions. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member beautiful. Remains sometimes makes me tired. And death is also a part of life. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Summer Hours

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