The Green Ray (movie review)

The Green Ray (drama) (1986) (1 hr 38 mins)

This gentle film (released as Summer in the US) from acclaimed French director Eric Rohmer is my favourite of his films. Where many of his other films seem slightly contrived, this has the feel of real life.

The story concerns Delphine, a sensitive young Parisian woman who has recently broken up with her boyfriend. She’s looking forward to her summer holiday with her friend but the friend cancels at short notice to go with away with her new boyfriend instead. It is too late for Delphine to make other plans so she is left with the prospect of no holiday.

Another friend invites her to spend time with her family in Cherbourg but Delphine finds herself the only single person there and feels out of place. She returns to Paris and then travels on her own to the Alps but is put off by the hordes of tourists and immediately returns home.  Next she tries spending time at the beach in Biarritz, where she meets an extrovert Swedish woman. A friendship starts to blossom until the friend’s partying becomes too much. Delphine decides to return to Paris.

While in Biarritz she overhears a conversation about Jules Verne’s novel, The Green Ray. Verne describes how, at sunset, you can see a rare green ray; at that moment you will be able to understand your true self. At the station, as she waits for her train, she meets a young man who is travelling to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. On a whim, she decides to go with and search for the green ray.

There are no dramatic plot twists in the film but the story manages to engage you, mainly through the interesting main character. Delphine is an introvert struggling to find her place in a world of extroverts. She is clearly lonely but finds it hard to connect with other people. When others try to reach out to her, her instinct is to withdraw.

Marie Riviere gives a subtle performance as Delphine. Much of the dialogue is improvised, which gives the film a naturalistic feel. Rohmer uses natural effects like wind and light to convey Delphine’s feelings. A powerful moment is when wind rips through some trees, conveying Delphine’s utter loneliness. This is essentially a study of loneliness but with an upbeat ending that offers the hope of better times ahead.

 Rating: 9/10