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.
The Green Ray (1986)
Eric Rohmer’s sublime 1980s classic is a magical summer film about the serendipity of romance.
- 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
Who voted for The Green Ray
Critics
- Dave Calhoun
- UK
- Bill Georgaris
- Australia
- Susannah Gruder
- USA
- Carlos F. Heredero
- Spain
- Stefan Ivančić
- Serbia
- Edward Lawrenson
- UK
- Tomer Levy
- United Kingdom
- Ross McDonnell
- Ireland
- Geoffrey O'Brien
- US
- R. Emmet Sweeney
- USA
- Laura Venning
- UK
- Samuel Wigley
- UK
- Adam Woodward
- UK
Directors
- Kōji Fukada
- Japan
- Mia Hansen-Løve
- France
- Sangsoo Hong
- South Korea
- Matías Piñeiro
- Argentina
- Carlos Vermut
- Spain
- Helena Wittmann
- Germany
Articles related to The Green Ray
10 great
10 great summer holiday films
By Brogan Morris
BFI Recommends
BFI Recommends: The Green Ray
By Tom Price
10 great
10 great films about loneliness
By David Morrison
Subscribe to BFI Player to access more films like this
Start with a 14-day free trial then only £6.99 a month - cancel any time.
Explore subscription on BFI Player