The House Next Door

Where would you recommend one start with his movies?

Hey Ryan-

My Night at Maude's seems to be the standard-bearer. It does give you some overall sense of his ideas and methods. My own personal recommendation would be Pauline at the Beach—my favorite, a light romantic comedy masking an acid sexual roundelay, with Nestor Almendros cinematography to die for. I'm also fond of his period pieces (The Lady and the Duke; The Marquise of O; The Romance of Astrea and Celadon; Perceval le Gallois).

I'd highly recommend the films I know have good representations on DVD, so definitely seek out the Criterion Collection "Moral Tales" box set. Pauline is also a good DVD; so is The Lady and the Duke. As I think about it, I might even go with Claire's Knee (in the "Moral Tales" box) as the opening salvo for you. It's difficult to know what each person will respond to in Rohmer; I'd just say, go with it as much and as fully as you can. He's one of the greats, and I'd be happy to loan or screen some of the films with you.

Sounds like a plan; perhaps a Rohmer/Shirin double feature in the near future? =) I have no life, so the scheduling would be on your end.

I'll second Keith's recommendation of Claire's Knee and Pauline at the Beach. Also, The Lady and the Duke is a good recent addition to his impressive oeuvre. I quite liked A Summer's Tale, too.

He was one of my favorite New Wave directors.

This is quite sad news. I've posted my own little remembrance now; I'm deeply affected by this news about a director who has meant a great deal to me. And I second Keith's recommendations, perhaps adding The Aviator's Wife, La collectionneuse and My Girlfriend's Boyfriend as somewhat lesser-known but equally wonderful films from this New Wave master.

I'd also reccomend Triple Agent.

So, what kinds of shenanigans is Rohmer getting into right now with Bergman, Antonioni, and Hitchcock?