Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on June 22, 2007 at 17:32:20

entertaining as the first--- of his "Moral Tales."
A rather common looking though intelligent graduate student allows herself to become the lover of a young man known as a "rake" though she's really interested in his best friend, a reclusive and shy science student. Though he also appears attracted to her, he struggles with his feelings, not willing to risk rejection.
Like a Beethoven chamber piece, this little story lovingly is composed with infinite patience creating intricacy, harmony, balance, and pace.
If one said this was a revolutionary film, far ahead of its time in showing how individual women already were well along the soon-to-be well travelled feminist path, I'd not argue. But don't think this is a polemic: rather, it is a sincere portrait of youthful insecurities, hard-won lessons, and bittersweet victories.
"Claire's Knee" may be the only well-known (outside of France) of Rohmer's films. That is a tragedy. His name belongs alongside that of the great directors for Rohmer doesn't feel the necessity to resort to fights, car chases, murders, and unnecessary theatrics to make his masterpieces. Every human can relate to his tales but how many experience anything similar to a "Raging Bull" or a "Godfather?"
Anyhow, see one of his films and the next time you're watching another's wherein suddenly a violent act occurs for apparently no other reason that to liven things up you'll smile to yourself as you turn it off.