Les Amours d'Astrée et de Céladon (Romance of Astrea and Celadon) (2007)

67% of critics liked it
(39 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(581 ratings)

Acclaimed French filmmaker Eric Rohmer adapts author Honoré d'Urfé's classic 17th century novel to craft this morally complex tale of romance concerning a young couple about to be betrothed, but driven apart by a tragic misunderstanding. Celadon (Andy Gillet) and Astrea (Stéphanie Crayencour) are… More Acclaimed French filmmaker Eric Rohmer adapts author Honoré d'Urfé's classic 17th century novel to craft this morally complex tale of romance concerning a young couple about to be betrothed, but driven apart by a tragic misunderstanding. Celadon (Andy Gillet) and Astrea (Stéphanie Crayencour) are deeply in love. Each has vowed that they want to spend the rest of their lives together, but their future union is suddenly thrown into question when one day on the riverbank Astrea sees Celadon kissing another woman. Subsequently banning Celadon from her sight forever, the inconsolable Astrea is horrified to discover that Celadon has attempted to take his own life by leaping into the river after learning of the decree; fortunately, he was saved at the last minute by an upper-crust young woman (Véronique Reymond) who wants to possess him. Desperate to win Astrea back, Celadon accepts the advice of a druid priest and his niece, who convince him to dress in drag, pose as a woman, and strike up a friendship with Astrea. Before long, the two are kissing, holding hands, and napping together -- with Astrea little recognizing her new "best friend"'s real gender or identity. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: Eric Rohmer
Written By: Honoré d'Urfé, Eric Rohmer
Genres: Drama, Romance, Art House & International

In Theaters: Aug 15, 2008 Limited
On DVD: Feb 10, 2009
Studio: Koch Lorber Films

Critic Reviews

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
In what he claims will be his final film, 87-year-old Eric Rohmer fashions a serenely daffy coda to a half a lifetime spent behind the camera exploring the vicissitudes of romance.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
The movie looks and feels exactly how it probably was to make: like a walk in the park.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
The nymphs and druids who frolic through The Romance of Astrea and Celadon occupy mythological space between Shakespeare and Greek mythology.
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
I can't think of another director who would even have tried to make this mythic wonderland come alive, with its impossibly beautiful actors, lush, bucolic scenery and not even the slightest concession to contemporary notions of realism.
Tayt Harlin, New York Magazine
Rohmer has not succumbed to pessimism or despair in his late work, and here he is as light of touch and witty as ever.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Even though I much prefer Mr. Rohmer's forays in the contemporary world from very oblique vantage points, I find his period spirituality very genuine.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Blissful
Dan Callahan, Slant Magazine
Eric Rohmer has said that The Romance of Astrea and Celadon is probably his swan song, and he's not pulling any punches here.
John Hartl, Seattle Times
It's often as fresh and buoyant as [Rohmer's] modern takes on the battle of the sexes.
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
This is no historical portrait of ancient life but a dreamy reflection of 17th-century romanticism of the past...
Derek Malcolm, This is London
But I wish the acting was less like amateur dramatics and the plot less like a slightly camp game.
Anthony Quinn, Independent
Rohmer's gentle philosophical chat is better heard, I think, among the muddled middle-classes of late-20th century France.
Nigel Andrews, Financial Times
A transcendentally batty essay in am-dram costume cinema, starchy with recitative, fragrant with period fabric conditioner and white with laundered emotionalism.
Tom Dawson, Total Film
Strip away the fey costumes, aristocratic nymphs, kindly druids and fairytale castles and what have you got? A typically Rohmerian exploration of courtship and fidelity among innocent young 'uns.
Rob Daniel, Sky Movies
The director's usual traits are present and correct - glacial pacing, silent film-like direction, a love of nature - meaning audiences' eyes will soon Rohmer about the room looking for an exit.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
It's a wisp of a film, touchingly earnest but light on point.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
At any rate, this is utterly distinctive. Go and see it: a sorbet of high-mindedness to refresh the palate.
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]
The film, talky, tediously overlong and crammed with kitsch, postcard-pretty country scenery, gets exponentially weirder by the minute, culminating in a cross-dressing pseudo-lesbian clinch.
Anton Bitel, Film4
Rohmer's swansong is droll, dignified and dull as a druid's dishwater.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
It is the wisdom, passion, joy and hope with which he invests the film that makes it so terribly moving.