Le Rayon Vert - 1986 ***

Eric Rohmer is a master at projecting the thoughts and feelings of characters going through different stages in their lives onto the screen. Here he does so with a gentle tenderness as we are introduced to a young woman named Delphine who has broken up with her fiance and is fed up with constantly being pitied by her friends and family. She has no one to go on holiday with after she is stood up by a friend and so bravely decides to go alone, encountering a variety of men and women along the way, all the time trying to rebuff the men's advances on her. I loved the imagery of the hot, French summer, but I found Delphine to be an infuriating wimp of a character. 

La Carriere de Suzanne - 1963 ***

Another of Eric Rohmer's 'Moral Tales' this time revolving around a woman named Suzanne who meets two university students and, flattered by their attention towards her, begins to be used as they enjoy themselves with her money. The men are deeply unpleasant characters who think that they have some god given right to abuse Suzanne's trust and morals simply because she has something that they want. Suzanne however, has a few tricks up her sleeve.
I really enjoyed this. Not too long, not too drawn out, just right for the story matter.

Le Boulangere de Moncreau - 1963 ****1/4

A fascinating character study of a man in 1960s Paris who, after declaring his undyling love for one girl, Sylvie, he begins a meaningless flirtation with a local woman working in a Bakery. He begins to visit her everyday under the pretence of buying various pastries, and soon believes her to be interested in him. In his eyes he is angry that she thinks she might stand a chance with him, despite the fact that he has been leading her on with kind words and actions and he soon decides to show her once and for all that he doesn't like her. Very interesting little film (and really makes you crave cookies!)

Chloe in the Afternoon - 1972 ***

I'm really into Rohmer's films at the moment and am taking much delight in watching one after the other, much as I did with Claude Chabrol some years earlier. I am keen to see all his 6 'Moral Tales' - a selection of films with specific morals running through them, and so far I have seen this, and 'My Night at Maud's.' MNAT was superior by far, as although I found his next offering a delight to watch, I couldn't help being put off by the ugliness of the lead female and the disturbingly male behaviour of the lead man. The whole film seems to revolve around the typical arrogance most males seem to exude when they get married, that they are somehow 'missing out' on all the other women who they could be with. This one particular man raves on about how much he loves his wife and how he would never be unfaithful to her, but when an old flame 'Chloe' turns up they begin a weird cat and mouse game of chasing each other and then pulling back when the other becomes interested. As soon as she shows interest in him he gets a sudden attack of conscience over his lovely wife who has at this time just given birth and rushes back to her. Pathetic. A good film, but the two leads repulsed me too much with their behaviour.

My Night At Maud's - 1969 ****1/2

Strange to see two such different films from the same year (this and 'La Notte') but this was far superior to the other. My first experience of Rohmer was a happy one, and I was riveted throughout the entire movie as I experienced a potential candidate (in my eyes) for best movie of 1969. Another example of New Wave cinema from France.
A catholic man in his thirties with strict morals about fidelity and marriage bumps into an old friend on Christmas Eve who takes him back to a female friend's flat. The woman, Maud, spends the evening talking to the two men about everything from relationships to religion to politics. It then starts to snow, and the man is offered shelter at her flat until morning. With this, his morals fly out the window.
This results in a fascinating movie with some completely natural acting. I was so moved by the woman who played Maud's acting that I took in every single movement and word that she did and said with much gusto.
Another hidden gem in my eyes, a bit like 'The Soft Skin' by Francois Truffaut.