The Green Ray
The Green Ray

Movie spotlight

The Green Ray

2017
Movie
12 min
English

A Green Ray that never features. Instead, we sense it, seeing beyond our own eyes, beyond the hills, we sense it for an instant. We are plunged into the unknowable, beyond the horizon, beyond seeing altogether. In a single, virtuoso 11 minute take, Barley takes us from lush sunsets. to beyond the green ray, and into the gloaming, into the heavy night's darkness, where we, transfixed, can do nothing but await the impending storm.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users85%
Director: Éric RohmerGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Delphine, a Parisian secretary, finds herself adrift during her summer vacation. After her planned trips fall through, she impulsively embarks on a journey through France, searching for connection and meaning. Her anxieties about loneliness and her desire for happiness lead her to various encounters and philosophical musings.

Critical Reception

Éric Rohmer's "The Green Ray" is a contemplative and deeply personal film that captures the existential angst of its protagonist with characteristic naturalism. While not a mainstream hit, it resonated with critics for its nuanced portrayal of a young woman's search for fulfillment and its exploration of themes like happiness, solitude, and the elusive nature of connection.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic and relatable depiction of modern-day anxieties.

  • Rohmer's signature observational style creates an intimate and immersive viewing experience.

  • The film is a poignant study of a woman grappling with loneliness and the search for joy.

Google audience: Viewers often appreciate the film's naturalistic dialogue and relatable portrayal of a young woman's emotional journey, finding Delphine's quest for happiness both moving and authentic. Some found the pacing slow but acknowledged the film's thoughtful exploration of solitude.

Fun Fact

The film was shot with a small crew and largely improvised dialogue, contributing to its naturalistic and documentary-like feel. Marie Rivière, who plays Delphine, reportedly improvised many of her own lines and shared personal anecdotes that were woven into the script.

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