Overview
In the picturesque vineyards of southern France, a widow's heart is about to bloom once more.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- serene
- warm
- quiet evening
- autumn afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Rohmer's serene, witty, psychologically perceptive romantic comedy for turning ordinary conversations and rural encounters into richly cinematic drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Isabelle's matchmaking, Magali's encounters with Gérald, and the characters' shifting intentions are developed through extended, dramatically staged conversations.
The Rhône Valley vineyards, gardens, cafés, restaurants, roads, and changing autumn light shape the film's atmosphere and social rhythms.
Widowed wine producer Magali is forty-five, lonely, and encouraged to consider new intimacy while remaining wary of being managed by others.
Isabelle places a lonely-hearts advertisement for Magali and engineers circumstances that bring Gérald into her orbit.
Films like A Tale of Autumn, and why
My Night at Maud's
Elegant conversational romance, understated matchmaking, and attentive observation of adult relationships
Claire's Knee
French romantic comedy built around verbal wit, moral hesitation, and emotionally complex social encounters
The Green Ray
Warm, literate relationship drama where indirect courtship and chance encounters reveal character
The Earrings of Madame de...
Restrained European romance centered on loneliness, social performance, and carefully observed conversation
Movie Details
- Director
- Éric Rohmer
- Release Date
- 1998-09-07
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (146)
Cast
- Marie Rivière
- Béatrice Romand
- Alain Libolt
- Didier Sandre
- Alexia Portal
- Aurélia Alcaïs
- Stéphane Darmon
- Matthieu Davette
- Yves Alcaïs
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel
- 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 Tale of Autumn about?
- A widowed Rhône Valley winemaker is gently steered toward romance as friendship, discretion, and desire collide over an autumn of carefully arranged encounters.
- What is A Tale of Autumn like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Tale of Autumn as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Tale of Autumn violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in A Tale of Autumn.
- What did critics think of A Tale of Autumn?
- Critics broadly praised Rohmer's serene, witty, psychologically perceptive romantic comedy for turning ordinary conversations and rural encounters into richly cinematic drama.
- Which films are like A Tale of Autumn?
- Films with a similar feel include My Night at Maud's, Claire's Knee, The Green Ray, and The Earrings of Madame de....
- How long is A Tale of Autumn?
- A Tale of Autumn runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Tale of Autumn?
- In United States, A Tale of Autumn streams on Criterion Channel.
