A Summer's Tale

Released Jun 20, 2014

1 hr. 53 min.

Romance

Comedy

List

98%

49 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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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isla s

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Danil S

A Summer's Tale (1996) is one of the four films in Éric Rohmer's Tales of the Four Seasons (Les Contes des quatre saisons). The legendary director was hailed as one of the greatest French New Wave (La Nouvelle Vague) directors of all time. His unique style of filmmaking had captivated the hearts of many people. His ability to marry realism with auteurism through his unique Rohmerian style is truly a sight to behold. With that said, A Summer's Tale (1996) is probably the best specimen of his style; no soundtrack music, no close-ups, a seaside resort, long conversations between beautiful young people (which often includes literary works, philosophy and romance). This film specifically dwells upon the theme of self-image and self worth; particularly in youthful romantic relationships. The film started pretty slowly (as if nothing was happening) but as it goes on, one would get drawn into the immersive world of A Summer's Tale without realizing it till it was over. All in all, this film would make a great viewing for people who are looking for an intelligent rom-com, and serves as a great introduction for people who are looking to get into Éric Rohmer's works for the first time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/21/22

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

william k

Excellently unostentatious tale of a young man's tribulations concerning attraction, commitment and love.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

french movies has something unique

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Love me some damn Rohmer

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Éric Rohmer

Director

Melvil Poupaud

Gaspard

Amanda Langlet

Margot

Aurelia Nolin

Lena

Gwenaëlle Simon

Solene

Aimé Lefèvre

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David Mermelstein

Wall Street Journal

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.

Feb 17, 2024

Full Review

Josh Kupecki

Austin Chronicle

The film is a welcome tonic to the cinematic landfill that gets pushed into theatres this time of year.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 4, 2014

Full Review

Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

A Summer's Tale is one of those movies where it looks like nothing is happening ...

Rated: 3/4

Aug 29, 2014

Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

[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.

Oct 21, 2023

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

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.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 30, 2019

Full Review

Charles Mudede

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

The sheer beat of the words keeps the actors moving in time, moving in circles, moving toward or away from each other...

Sep 6, 2018

Full Review

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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
Screenwriter: Éric Rohmer
Distributor: Big World Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: French (Canada)
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 20, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $198.1K

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