For lack of major drama or any but a rather light narrative I can understand how this won't necessarily appeal to all comers, and to be honest I'd have said the same myself at one time. Yet there's something joyfully pure and wholesome about this movie in a way that we get so very rarely, and it's plainly enchanting in its earnest simplicity, however much or little happens in each vignette. As Reinette and Mirabelle meet, become fast friends, freely talk, and share experiences, the picture evokes nostalgia for our own youth, or perhaps for the childhood or like experiences we wish we had, and makes one yearn for a less cynical time. It almost comes across that 'Quatre aventures de Reinette et Mirabelle' is more of a slice of life portraiture than it is a feature with a written script. Alternatively, in some measure it also brings to mind the type of fare one might see on public access television in "after school" hours to teach kids about this or that, impart gentle lessons, or inspire critical thinking. In what ever way one wishes to describe it, it's absolutely delightful!
Unsophisticated and lighthearted as the film it bears tremendous warmth, and across each bit we're also treated to sly comedy and underhanded commentary, or food for thought. The first "episode," "L'heure bleue," depicts the two girls meeting and immediately striking up a friendship, and at the same time viewers kind of learn about rural life at the same time that Mirabelle does (for American viewers of a certain age, 'Mister Roger's neighborhood' may come to mind). Next, "Le garcon de café" ups the ante as the duo encounter a surly waiter, and the humor borne of the frustration is paired with a sort of exercise in managing difficult interactions. Third vignette "Le mendiant, la kleptomane et l'arnaqueuse" is a little more complex as Reinette and Mirabelle discuss their perspectives on certain people on the fringes of society, and there's understated themes about not rushing to judge someone you know nothing about. Lastly, providing a tad more abject plot as the first segment had, "La vente du tableau" is genuinely funny as the pair go about selling a painting, and the picture cheekily says a little something about how people talk, and how much.
Even the design of the opening and closing credits, and the title cards, and Jean-Louis Valéro's playful original music, reinforce that mirthful frivolity, and those airs of entertainment mixed with education. Meanwhile, Joëlle Miquel and Jessica Forde portray Reinette and Mirabelle with such believable camaraderie and dynamics, marked by splendid range and nuance, that one could be forgiven for forgetting that this was built off a screenplay. To that end, filmmaker Éric Rohmer has blessed us with a gift, for there aren't that many motion pictures that come across with this much verisimilitude, let alone heart. The characters and dialogue are very real, and the scene writing and narrative are simply wonderful in the good spirit and intelligence they demonstrate. Rohmer's direction, too, shows a superbly delicate hand, letting all of these ninety-nine minutes feel very natural. The filming locations and production design unquestionably lend to that sense, and by all means everyone else behind the scenes did a fantastic job in that same vein, not least costume design, hair, and makeup. Though I suppose it's true in cinema generally, here it's extra weird to some degree to think about how much work went into making a fictional tale seem anything but.
This may not seem like much on the outside. I'll be the first to admit that I chose to watch just on a whim, and I could have just as easily overlooked it. Taking a pass would be a mistake, however, for 'Quatre aventures de Reinette et Mirabelle' is very well made, highly enjoyable, and so much smarter and more skillful in its storytelling than the premise portends. I'm so very pleased that I came across this and decided to watch, and while it may not meet the personal preferences of all viewers, frankly I happily give this a blanket recommendation for one and all. If you have the chance to watch, as far as I'm concerned this is well worth anyone's time. Cheers!
Unsophisticated and lighthearted as the film it bears tremendous warmth, and across each bit we're also treated to sly comedy and underhanded commentary, or food for thought. The first "episode," "L'heure bleue," depicts the two girls meeting and immediately striking up a friendship, and at the same time viewers kind of learn about rural life at the same time that Mirabelle does (for American viewers of a certain age, 'Mister Roger's neighborhood' may come to mind). Next, "Le garcon de café" ups the ante as the duo encounter a surly waiter, and the humor borne of the frustration is paired with a sort of exercise in managing difficult interactions. Third vignette "Le mendiant, la kleptomane et l'arnaqueuse" is a little more complex as Reinette and Mirabelle discuss their perspectives on certain people on the fringes of society, and there's understated themes about not rushing to judge someone you know nothing about. Lastly, providing a tad more abject plot as the first segment had, "La vente du tableau" is genuinely funny as the pair go about selling a painting, and the picture cheekily says a little something about how people talk, and how much.
Even the design of the opening and closing credits, and the title cards, and Jean-Louis Valéro's playful original music, reinforce that mirthful frivolity, and those airs of entertainment mixed with education. Meanwhile, Joëlle Miquel and Jessica Forde portray Reinette and Mirabelle with such believable camaraderie and dynamics, marked by splendid range and nuance, that one could be forgiven for forgetting that this was built off a screenplay. To that end, filmmaker Éric Rohmer has blessed us with a gift, for there aren't that many motion pictures that come across with this much verisimilitude, let alone heart. The characters and dialogue are very real, and the scene writing and narrative are simply wonderful in the good spirit and intelligence they demonstrate. Rohmer's direction, too, shows a superbly delicate hand, letting all of these ninety-nine minutes feel very natural. The filming locations and production design unquestionably lend to that sense, and by all means everyone else behind the scenes did a fantastic job in that same vein, not least costume design, hair, and makeup. Though I suppose it's true in cinema generally, here it's extra weird to some degree to think about how much work went into making a fictional tale seem anything but.
This may not seem like much on the outside. I'll be the first to admit that I chose to watch just on a whim, and I could have just as easily overlooked it. Taking a pass would be a mistake, however, for 'Quatre aventures de Reinette et Mirabelle' is very well made, highly enjoyable, and so much smarter and more skillful in its storytelling than the premise portends. I'm so very pleased that I came across this and decided to watch, and while it may not meet the personal preferences of all viewers, frankly I happily give this a blanket recommendation for one and all. If you have the chance to watch, as far as I'm concerned this is well worth anyone's time. Cheers!