Contes des Quatre Saisons : Conte d'été - Eric Rohmer (1996)

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Contes des Quatre Saisons : Conte d'été - Eric Rohmer (1996)

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Three women, one choice.
Gaspard is a young mathematician/musician vacationing by the seaside in Brittany, France, before starting a new job. The film covers roughly three weeks in his life and introduces us to the trio of women he encounters during that time. First is Margot, a cheerful waitress who enjoys spending time with Gaspard, but isn't interested in more than a friendship. Solene is more affectionate and sensual - she's willing to have a relationship with Gaspard if he will commit to only her. Then there's Lena, Gaspard's longtime semi-girlfriend whose ambiguous romantic attitude towards him keeps him in a state of constant consternation. As the summer wears on, Gaspard finds himself increasingly torn between the three women, finding each the most appealing when he's with her, and recognizing that the day is fast approaching when he will have to choose.
Gaspard is a genuinely likable (albeit indecisive) young man who finds a different need fulfilled by each of the three women. From Margot, it's friendship; from Solene, it's the promise of sex; and from Lena, it's a romantic fantasy. Rohmer spends a great deal of time exploring the psychology of these relationships, and, unlike in a conventional romance, he never tips the balance heavily in favor of one or another. "A Summer's Tale" isn't about plot contrivances pushing two individuals together for a happy ending. Instead, it throws four people into a mixing pot and explores what happens when that traditional "happy ending" is not mandated.
Each of the relationships has a slightly different tone. The deepest and most complex is that of Gaspard and Margot. These two have a tremendous amount of chemistry, and it's clear that Gaspard would not be averse to crossing over the line from friendship to romance. Margot's intentions are more murky; she appears to be giving off mixed signals which Gaspard occasionally misinterprets. If not for her boyfriend (who's on an extended trip to South America), we have the feeling that these two would be perfect for each other. As things are, there's a lot going on under the surface. The sexual tension crackles, emphasizing the fact that, in the hands of an expert director, no nudity or graphic skin-to-skin contact is necessary to develop a state of highly charged eroticism.
For Gaspard, Lena is more of an obsession or a fantasy than a real person. Their relationship is stormy and characterized by misunderstandings. One day, they're enjoying each other's companionship; the next, they're railing at each other. There's a basic mismatch of emotion. Gaspard sees Lena as potentially the love of his life. On the other hand, she isn't interested in a deep or lasting relationship with Gaspard. She views him as moody, possessive, and jealous - all three of which he is. Yet, even when Gaspard vows he is through with Lena, his attraction to her inevitably draws him back.
The most open and honest of the three relationships is the one between Gaspard and Solene. There is a genuine affection between these two, and they share some common traits (including a love of music), but it's clear that any liaison will be short-term. Their attraction is primarily physical, and, although Solene has a standing principle of not sleeping with a man on a first date, it seems likely that she has no such compunctions about subsequent encounters. .

En vacances à Dinard dans la maison d'un ami, Gaspard, taciturne étudiant en mathématiques, nourri de chansons de marins et d'aventures maritimes, passe le temps entre la plage et sa chambre où il s'essaie à composer des chansons. Il rencontre d'abord Margot, étudiante en ethnologie et serveuse pour l'été dans une crêperie, avec laquelle il se lie d'amitié au cours de longues promenades, parlant de lui-même et d'une autre jeune fille dont il attend l'arrivée de plus en plus improbable, Léna. Il rencontre ensuite Solène, qui joue le jeu de la séduction tout en affirmant ses principes, et à laquelle il propose de partir à Ouessant, lieu mythique de la littérature de mer, paré du prestige de bout du monde. Il avait déjà proposé cette même excursion à Margot, qui, quoique fiancée à un lointain coopérant, fait une crise de jalousie au nom de l'amitié. Survient Léna, qu'on n'attendait plus, qui se montre accueillante, avant de faire elle aussi un caprice, reprochant à Gaspard de ne pas être à sa hauteur de fille exceptionnelle, puis de revenir sur ses propos pour accepter l'excursion à Ouessant. Gaspard se trouve avec deux rendez-vous à la même heure avec deux filles différentes, et pour la même destination. Il n'a plus d'autre solution que la fuite. Un ami qui lui propose une occasion exceptionnelle, un magnétophone pour lequel il doit se trouver à La Rochelle le lendemain matin, lui fournit un prétexte providentiel. Margot l'accompagne à l'embarcadère.

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Contes des Quatre Saisons : Conte d'été - Eric Rohmer (1996)

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Contes des Quatre Saisons : Conte d'été - Eric Rohmer (1996)

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Contes des Quatre Saisons : Conte d'été - Eric Rohmer (1996)

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Contes des Quatre Saisons : Conte d'été - Eric Rohmer (1996)

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Contes des Quatre Saisons : Conte d'été - Eric Rohmer (1996)

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