But as also happens in his films, everyone is resilient enough to survive the kinds of missteps and obstacles he places in their way, and by the end of the harvest we know that all will be well. The mark of a Rohmer film has always been the conversation his people are consumed by. There are no awkward pauses, no inarticulate boobies, nor any strong silent types in a Rohmer film. His people speak well and interestingly and thoughtfully, and often with subtle wit. Intricate staging and choreography were never his strong points, but here he has staged his scenes like a high school play.
People move, stand, sit, walk, without motivation, apparently just in order to hold our interest.
And even more upsetting to one who has loved Rohmer for many years, the quality of his script is not nearly up to the outline of his own story line. There's a sloppiness in the editing as well. Shots don't match, as people move out of one place while talking, and find themselves in the same place in the next shot. Let's just thank him for that gift.