The Green Ray (1986)

Eric Rohmer’s sublime 1980s classic is a magical summer film about the serendipity of romance.

Romance in cinema has always relied on the transformative potential of a chance encounter. Here, in the fifth of his Comedies and Proverbs series of films, Eric Rohmer explores the frustration of a woman, Delphine (Marie Rivière), whose faith in such serendipity is being tested. Weaving a quietly riveting account of Delphine’s aborted attempts at leaving Paris for a summer holiday, the film addresses her romantic idealism with both wry amusement and deep sympathy.

1986 France
Directed by
Eric Rohmer
Produced by
Margaret Ménégoz
Written by
Eric Rohmer
Featuring
Marie Rivière, Amira Chemakhi, Sylvie Richez
Running time
99 minutes

Ranked in The Greatest Films of All Time poll

Sight and Sound