Overview
A charming day in the countryside leads to unexpected romance and laughter.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- lyrical
- wistful
- romantic
- quiet afternoon
- classic film night
What critics said
Critics broadly celebrate Renoir's lyrical direction, visual inventiveness, and emotionally resonant portrayal of fleeting love.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Henriette's day in the countryside produces an intense but transitory connection with Henri.
Renoir emphasizes the river, picnic, rain, and countryside as active emotional elements.
Henriette's family outing and social expectations stand between her and the freedom suggested by her new romance.
The film's flash-forward perspective places the single country excursion within a larger arc of remembered loss.
Films like A Day in the Country, and why
The Earrings of Madame de...
impressionistic romantic drama centered on a brief, transformative encounter in nature
Jules and Jim
poignant French romance shaped by longing, social constraint, and emotional restraint
The Green Ray
lyrical rural setting, fleeting intimacy, and bittersweet romantic atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean Renoir
- Release Date
- 1946-05-21
- Runtime
- 41 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (225)
Cast
- Sylvia Bataille
- Jane Marken
- Georges D'Arnoux
- Jacques Brunius
- André Gabriello
- Gabrielle Fontan
- Jean Renoir
- Marguerite Renoir
- Paul Temps
- Jacques Becker
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A Day in the Country about?
- A radiant country picnic becomes an unforgettable, socially constrained romance that vanishes almost as quickly as it begins.
- What is A Day in the Country like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Day in the Country as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Day in the Country violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in A Day in the Country.
- What did critics think of A Day in the Country?
- Critics broadly celebrate Renoir's lyrical direction, visual inventiveness, and emotionally resonant portrayal of fleeting love.
- Which films are like A Day in the Country?
- Films with a similar feel include The Earrings of Madame de..., Jules and Jim, and The Green Ray.
- How long is A Day in the Country?
- A Day in the Country runs 41 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Day in the Country?
- In United States, A Day in the Country streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
