The Romance of Astrea and Celadon

The Romance of Astrea and Celadon, the latest film from renowned French director Eric Rohmer (almost 90), is another idiosyncratic reverie on love, based on the 17th-century pastoral novel L'Astrée by Honoré d'Urfé. Set in fifth-century Gaul, the story revolves around handsome shepherd Celadon, who throws himself into a river when his beloved, Astrea, accuses him of infidelity and banishes him from her sight forever. Although presumed dead, Celadon is rescued and restored to health by the nymph Galathee, but refuses to return to Astrea, obeying her wish to never see him again. Celadon builds a shrine to Amor, pining away in the forest until a helpful Druid priest suggests that he disguise himself as a girl to approach his beloved without being recognized. Shot without much visual sophistication in a lovely French bucolic woodland setting, the central story boast a certain innocent sweetness, although it's told in very languid fashion, and frequently interrupted by long philosophical debates on love between Celadon's brother, who speaks of amore in the most elevated terms, and a lascivious shepherd who sings the praises of promiscuity. Obviously not for everyone, The Romance of Astrea and Celadon would nevertheless be required for French cinema collections and appreciated by admirers of one of the most long-lived of the founding generation of New Wave directors. Recommended. (F. Swietek)