Eric Rohmer's latest film is a slow, languid tale of middle-aged love in the French countryside. This being a Rohmer film, there's also the almost obligatory older man chasing a much younger woman, but fortunately that story line fades as the movie goes on. The movie has a great deal of charm, with assured direction and solid acting (Alain Libolt as one of the suitors is particularly good); and there's enough substance to chew on afterwards. But there's nothing groundbreaking here, and critics who say otherwise are probably just reacting against the more obvious Hollywood fare. If you're in the mood for a nice, easy romance, Autumn Tale will satisfy.
J. Robert Parks 9/6/99
