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A Summer's Tale

Play trailer Poster for A Summer's Tale 2014 1h 53m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Before beginning a new job, Gaspard (Melvil Poupaud) goes to a beach town to relax for a few weeks. He waits for Lena (Aurelia Nolin), a girl he has been casually dating for some time. When she does not arrive, he strikes up a friendship with waitress Margot (Amanda Langlet). Through her, Gaspard also meets Solene (Gwenaëlle Simon), a free spirit open to a physical relationship if he agrees to be faithful. As Gaspard spends time with each, he finds his feelings even further conflicted.
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A Summer's Tale

A Summer's Tale

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Critics Consensus

With A Summer's Tale, Eric Rohmer continues his "Tales of the Four Seasons" in typically Rohmeresque fashion -- and for cineastes, that's excellent news indeed.

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Critics Reviews

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David Mermelstein Wall Street Journal 02/17/2024
But all four [Four Seasons] share Rohmer’s principal preoccupation: the continuing quest for romantic ideals, along with the mess people often make when pursuing them. Go to Full Review
Josh Kupecki Austin Chronicle 09/04/2014
4/5
The film is a welcome tonic to the cinematic landfill that gets pushed into theatres this time of year. Go to Full Review
Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer 08/29/2014
3/4
A Summer's Tale is one of those movies where it looks like nothing is happening ... Go to Full Review
Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch 10/21/2023
[Rohmer's] inimitable blend of breeziness and frankness is never better matched in the director’s films than by the summer setting of this one, the sharp truths going down a lot smoother in the gorgeous sunlight. Go to Full Review
Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 08/30/2019
4/5
As far as human interaction via intelligent and compelling conversation goes, it's hard to best Rohmer, whose simple, sometimes banal situations reveal unpredictable depths. Go to Full Review
Charles Mudede The Stranger (Seattle, WA) 09/06/2018
The sheer beat of the words keeps the actors moving in time, moving in circles, moving toward or away from each other... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Michael P Jul 26 This film reminds me of watching a child wracked with indecision over a restaurant menu. Everything looks good, but suggestions sway him back and forth; knitted brow, hands wringing, he doesn’t know what he really wants, but would not offend anyone by making a choice. Deep down, he wishes someone would choose for him. Finally, he’s relieved when a fire alarm sounds, evacuating the establishment and obviating his need to choose. This film in a nutshell. Pointless. I’ll never get these two hours back. See more Dominique F 07/14/2024 A movie that will make you want to kiss the lips you only like but do not love yet. See more isla s 09/03/2022 This is quite a laidback watch, with a philosophical edge to it. It's somewhat thoughtful and a nice, easy watch, with a real summer holiday, escapist feel to it and its a coming of age rom com - not overly laugh out loud funny as such, though there are some pieces of amusing dialogue. I liked the beach resort setting. I'd recommend this film, yes. See more 06/07/2021 In thinking of director Erich Rohmer's films, certain descriptions come quickly to mind- wistful, effortless, quiet sea sides, rolling hills; and of course romances. But his romantic couplings are those of various varieties and intensities. They are embodied by people who contradict, manipulate, disappoint as well as those who are consistent (even if it's in being inconsistent), true, and who satisfy their partner's(s'?) lustful urges for the fluttering heart and erotic hookups. I would say it is Rohmer's ability to re-create life so authentically and in ways we can well relate that give them their rather effortless, subtle sense. The dialogue between lead character Gaspard and his would be lovers (Solene, Lena, & esp. Margot) is of such depth of common experience, of such realism in how these people play each other and off of each other. They are all so flaky, uncertain, and hiding to some degree behind some facade, some front they put up most likely to protect themselves but also to string others along. The women all want their local guy to be there if their #1 option isn't around, but they make sure it never gets 'serious'. But Gaspard also wants his physical pleasures, and they play on that, too.; especially Solene. She has 'principles', she says. She never sleeps with a guy on the first date/time together. But then she doesn't after that, it seems; all the more easy to string along a fool or naive boy-man. Such are the follies, frivolities and frustrations of youth. Rohmer had an uncanny skill for using the mercurial predilections of the young as a starting point for perceptive but not oppressive philosophical observations. Rohmer seems to suggest that Gaspard's youthful mistakes will make him a better man, a rather generous, hopeful, and fair sentiment. Strong work by the actors, esp. Poupad and Langlet. Lena's lovely, Solene's a sizzling slow burn, but Margot is the one you take home and try not to screw things up with. She's a keeper. But then so is the great film. 4 stars See more 06/21/2016 french movies has something unique See more 06/05/2016 Love me some damn Rohmer See more Read all reviews
A Summer's Tale

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Movie Info

Synopsis Before beginning a new job, Gaspard (Melvil Poupaud) goes to a beach town to relax for a few weeks. He waits for Lena (Aurelia Nolin), a girl he has been casually dating for some time. When she does not arrive, he strikes up a friendship with waitress Margot (Amanda Langlet). Through her, Gaspard also meets Solene (Gwenaëlle Simon), a free spirit open to a physical relationship if he agrees to be faithful. As Gaspard spends time with each, he finds his feelings even further conflicted.
Director
Éric Rohmer
Producer
Francoise Etchegaray
Screenwriter
Éric Rohmer
Distributor
Big World Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 20, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$198.1K
Runtime
1h 53m
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