Overview
A solitary woman navigates the complexities of love and self-discovery during a summer in Paris.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- wistful
- intimate
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Rohmer's naturalistic portrait of loneliness, everyday behavior, and romantic uncertainty as subtle, humane, and exceptionally accomplished.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film dwells on Delphine's idle travel, conversations, meals, and periods of emotional suspension rather than conventional romantic plot turns.
Delphine's loneliness and uncertainty are linked to seasonal travel, changing surroundings, and the anticipated green ray.
Delphine moves through Paris and several holiday destinations while repeatedly rejecting or losing possible forms of connection.
Rohmer's direction focuses on Delphine's unguarded reactions and the texture of ordinary conversations rather than overt cinematic spectacle.
Films like The Green Ray, and why
My Night at Maud's
naturalistic romantic drama centered on emotional uncertainty, loneliness, and everyday conversation
Pauline at the Beach
intimate french romance observing a guarded protagonist navigating desire, chance, and self-deception
Cléo from 5 to 7
quiet, character-driven relationship drama with an introspective woman confronting romantic expectations
A Summer's Tale
summertime european romance combining melancholy, conversational realism, and ambivalent intimacy
Movie Details
- Director
- Éric Rohmer
- Release Date
- 1986-08-29
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (292)
Cast
- Marie Rivière
- Rosette
- Béatrice Romand
- Carita
- Vincent Gauthier
- Eric Hamm
- Joël Comarlot
- Amira Chemakhi
- Marc Vivas
- María Luisa García
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Green Ray about?
- During a lonely summer holiday, a guarded Parisian woman searches for an authentic connection without surrendering her independence.
- What is The Green Ray like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Green Ray as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Green Ray violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Green Ray.
- What did critics think of The Green Ray?
- Critics broadly regard Rohmer's naturalistic portrait of loneliness, everyday behavior, and romantic uncertainty as subtle, humane, and exceptionally accomplished.
- Which films are like The Green Ray?
- Films with a similar feel include My Night at Maud's, Pauline at the Beach, Cléo from 5 to 7, and A Summer's Tale.
- How long is The Green Ray?
- The Green Ray runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Green Ray?
- In United States, The Green Ray streams on Criterion Channel.
