Autumn Tale

"You can't force someone to love." An exploration of how ideal types, tastes, and attractions cannot be defined by anything. Filled with Magali's thick hair and the scent of autumn in the vineyards.241128 (3.0)1. Isabelle, a bookstore owner, is the mother of the bride-to-be, Emilia. I almost didn't recognize the actress—she’s Delphine from "The Green Ray" and Jeanne from "The Aviator's Wife"! 2. Her best friend Magali runs a vineyard and is lonely after her husband's death and a falling out with her daughter, Valentine. Though in her 40s, she still has a girlish heart. 3. Rosine, the girlfriend of Magali's son Leo, actually prefers mature adults and shares a deep, platonic bond with Magali, filling the void left by Valentine. 4. Rosine was in a complicated relationship with her philosophy teacher, Etienne. To settle the sexual tension, she introduces him to Magali, showing a friendship that transcends age. 5. Like "A Tale of Springtime," this story involves romantic schemes. While "A Summer’s Tale" and "A Tale of Winter" follow protagonists navigating three love interests, "A Tale of Autumn" uses a meddling plan. 6. Isabelle secretly places a lonely-hearts ad for Magali and even goes on test dates for two weeks with the candidate, Gerald. 7. Magali and Gerald, both middle-aged singles with roots in North Africa and a connection to vineyards, find themselves drawn to each other. 8. Conflict arises when Magali suspects Isabelle of having an affair with Gerald, a recurring "frustrating character" trope for this actress. 9. Director Éric Rohmer captures the interesting commonality that while men often readily start new loves even when they have someone, the women do not. He understands the timing of romance so well. 10. "If he thinks of me and I think of him, we will surely meet again." 11. The film ends with a wedding reception dance where everyone is happy, except for Isabelle, whose expression is mysterious—perhaps she actually fell for Gerald during her bored 24-year marriage. 12. While "Spring" and "Summer" ended sourly, "Autumn" and "Winter" end with the hope of passionate love. As a series, it’s a perfect conclusion. Personally, I’d rank them: Winter, Autumn, Spring, and then Summer.