Overview
A shy graduate's summer holiday turns into a romantic adventure filled with unexpected connections.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- wistful
- intimate
- lazy summer afternoon
- quiet date night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Éric Rohmer’s film as a finely observed, witty, and charmingly naturalistic study of youthful romantic indecision.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Gaspard simultaneously navigates his absent sort-of girlfriend Margot, the flirtatious Solène, and the elusive Léna.
The relationships develop through relaxed discussions, flirtation, argument, and self-explanation rather than overt melodrama.
Gaspard’s holiday in Dinard delays his entry into adult working life and places him among new acquaintances at the beach and in town.
Gaspard is a shy maths graduate about to begin his first job while trying to determine what he wants romantically.
Films like A Summer's Tale, and why
Pauline at the Beach
naturalistic romantic indecision, youthful self-discovery, and conversational summer atmosphere
My Night at Maud's
Éric Rohmer’s intimate romantic comedy built around competing attractions and morally nuanced conversation
The Green Ray
frank romantic entanglements, coastal leisure, and understated coming-of-age observation
The Aviator's Wife
witty, talk-driven relationship drama focused on desire, hesitation, and emotional self-knowledge
Movie Details
- Director
- Éric Rohmer
- Release Date
- 1996-06-05
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (281)
Cast
- Melvil Poupaud
- Amanda Langlet
- Gwenaëlle Simon
- Aurelia Nolin
- Aimé Lefèvre
- Alain Guellaff
- Evelyne Lahana
- Yves Guérin
- Franck Cabot-David
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A Summer's Tale about?
- During a seaside holiday before entering the workforce, a shy graduate becomes entangled in a delicate web of romantic possibilities.
- What is A Summer's Tale like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Summer's Tale as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Summer's Tale violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in A Summer's Tale.
- What did critics think of A Summer's Tale?
- Critics broadly regard Éric Rohmer’s film as a finely observed, witty, and charmingly naturalistic study of youthful romantic indecision.
- Which films are like A Summer's Tale?
- Films with a similar feel include Pauline at the Beach, My Night at Maud's, The Green Ray, and The Aviator's Wife.
- How long is A Summer's Tale?
- A Summer's Tale runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Summer's Tale?
- In United States, A Summer's Tale streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
