Eric Rohmer's final installment in his "4 Seasons" series is something like a souffle'--light, airy and very palatable, yet composed of substantial ingredients. One comes away from this film feeling uplifted and fully satisfied. Again, Rohmer presents his viewers with what could very well be a real-life situation; in this case, a couple of rounds at matchmaking among two generations of friends in the French countryside. The director reunites Beatrice Romand and Marie Riviere from "The Green Ray" (aka "Summer") as two best friends who have a go-round with a prospective suitor that they meet through an ad in the local classifieds. Although the women are now showing some tarnish on the once golden gleam of their youth, they are still both vain enough to remain somewhat coy and competitive when it comes to the arena of romance. For long-term Rohmer fans, it is a delight to see Romand and Riviere cast together again and--as the suitor--Alain Libolt provides a perfect counterweight to their pairing. Quibbles? Alexia Portal, as the young Rosine, gives a performance that is far too smug. Additionally--from a technical standpoint--the outdoor lighting sometimes gives the cameraman some difficulty, resulting in some scenes which are overly washed-out. But, all in all, "Autumn Tale" is quite a fun bit of a romp with Rohmer's cast.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Titanic Town
(1998)
Emotional depiction of the Irish struggle from a familial perspective
14 June 1999
"Titanic Town" is the real-life story of Bernie McPhelimy, a Belfast mother who was the driving force behind an anti-violence initiative of the 1970's. (The film draws its name from its city of location, where the "Titanic" was built at the Harland & Wolff shipyards.) Bernie is a witness to several military raids within both her neighborhood and her own home. The film shows how her feelings of indignancy are ignited and herself propelled--rather too quickly--into a spiral of Irish politics and intrigue. "Titanic Town" does an excellent job of demonstrating how one's own emotions, the news media and circumstantial events work to transform an ordinary individual into a national controversy. Performances by Julie Walters (as Bernie McPhelimy), newcomer Nuala O'Neill (as her daughter), and Ciaran McMenamin (as an IRA activist) are particularly well done. Strong supporting work is given by Ciaran Hinds, as Bernie's spent and sickly husband. Adeptly directed by Roger Michell ("Notting Hill"), "Titanic Town" may be somewhat dated from a topical standpoint, but its presentation of the Irish conflict in most human of terms makes it a more than worthy watch. It is a brave story, about a brave (if somewhat belligerent) people, which will elicit compassion, sympathy and respect from nearly any viewer.
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