Inspiration: Eric Rohmer

Eric Rohmer, editor of the influential Cahiers du Cinema magazine from 1957 to 1963, one of the founders of French New Wave cinema, and the director of a series of memorable films, has died at age 89. That statement doesn't begin to give you a sense of the richness and subtlety of Rohmer's films. Or how they've remained in the memory of those of us who fell under their spell.

    

 

I clearly remember the first one I saw, "My Night at Maud's," as well as with whom and where I saw it. "Maud" was based on one of Rohmer's own stories — "moral tales" — perfect for a pair of young, Catholic, college students: a sexy movie without any actual sex. I immediately taped a magazine photo of the film's star, Jean Louis Trintingnant (above left), inside my bathroom medicine cabinet where I would see his sweetly smiling face every day. My copy of Rohmer's "Six Moral Tales," along with Trintingnant's photo, is still somewhere deep in the recesses of my bookcases. 

    

After Maud came "Claire's Knee," "Pauline at the Beach," and "Chloe in the Afternoon," to name a few. All instantly recognizable as Rohmer's work with their witty and intellectual dialog. Remembering these first movies, which morphed into his later seasonal tales, I realize why I like so little of contemporary cinema. Rohmer got me hooked early on stories; stories that felt true and were filled with talk, talk, talk and more talk. 

    

   

The last Rohmer film I saw was "The Lady and The Duke," based on the memoirs of an aristocratic Scotswoman living in France at the time of the Revolution (above). What set this film apart was that all the scenes of Paris were beautifully painted backdrops, specifically created to replicate 18th Century reality. The settings and characters were digitally combined in a film of sensuous details.

Rohmer wasn't trying to capture a particular moment on film, but an attitude. As a result, his work has a timeless quality which lets these tales of the intricacies of love, life, and loss continue to shine.

Comments

[Erin]

Fascinating post, Linda. I've never been much of a film buff, but I may need to seek out one of Rohmer's films now.

[Altoon]

Thanks for the lovely tribute, Linda. It's been a long while since I've seen a Rohmer film, though I have the "flash of green" very much in memory. I'll have to see some again, starting with My Night at Maud's and Claire's Knee.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

I think I fell in love with the titles as much as anything. And all those actors whose faces taught me about other concepts of beauty than the rather shallow American ideal.

[S. Adler Sobol]

I've read a number of tributes to Eric Rohmer in the past week which brought fond memories of some of his older films, which I haven't seen since they first appeared. Linda - yours is the only commentary that I've seen which refers to the film The Lady & The Duke -- I rented it on Netflix fairly recently, and had quite forgotten that it was an Eric Rohmer film. So to digress from Eric Rohmer -- The Lady & The Duke is based on the true story of Grace Dalyrymple Elliott whose lovely portrait hangs in the Frick Collection in New York. I can also recommend a biography, "My Lady Scandalous: The Amazing Life & Outrageous Times of Grace Dalrymple Elliott" by Jo Manning. I think you'll enjoy it! Back to the film -- those sets were fabulous, weren't they? Best regards, Susan

[Easy and Elegant Life]

Happy New Year! Doesn't your buffet look wonderful!

"Claire's Knee" was required viewing in every French class I had from eight grade on. I may have to see it again. "The Lady & The Duke" is going into the Netflix queue.