A2Z Recommends - Four Adventures of Reinette and Mirabelle

There’s something about this time of year where the boundaries of the seasons begin to blur. The sun stays out a little longer (thank you daylight savings) the colours outside all seem a little more vibrant, the promise of spring so close to being within reach. Despite this, the cold morning starts and the umbrella that’s not budging from my bag anytime soon, leave me more inclined to spend my evenings indoors until the weather warms up.

Whilst it’s still cold out, I find myself turning to my favourite films to deliver some spring time inspiration. At the top of that list has to be Eric Rohmer’s ‘Four Adventures of Reinette and Mirabelle’. The 1987 French film, introduces us to our protagonists, two young women from opposing backgrounds who form a friendship after serendipitously meeting on a country road.

The film itself is a beautiful character study of this unlikely duo. Mirabelle is practical, confident and her disposition is a superb reflection of the city where she lives - Paris. Reinette on the other hand, is timid, eccentric, and above all else a dreamer. The two grow together and learn from each other’s opposing personalities as we progress through the four seasons of the film.

In true Rohmer fashion, the film is guided not by fast paced action or outlandish plot, but instead by the everyday. Attention to character, simplicity and the beauty of female friendship triumphs. Most striking to me, being the scenes set in the first season, where the two girls attempt to wake up for the ‘blue hour’, listen to the sounds of nature, and share meals outdoors in beautiful countryside surroundings on the farm.

To me ‘Four Adventures of Reinette and Mirabelle’ is the perfect cosy film to stay home and watch curled up on the sofa, it’s beautiful cinematography and rich colours tiding me over until the stretch of spring is truly underway.

Image from IMDB

Article by Sophie Thomalla