Summertime (La Belle Saison)

2015

105 mins

Directed by Catherine Corsini
92%
73%
Drama
Romance

Cécile De France and Izïa Higelin play lovers against the backdrop of feminist activism in 1970s France in this 2015... More

Cécile De France and Izïa Higelin play lovers against the backdrop of feminist activism in 1970s France in this 2015 release from veteran French director Catherine Corsini.

"[A twenty-year-old farm girl's] homosexuality becomes a source of anguish when her very traditional parents expect her to marry a local boy who — in their eyes — seems perfect for her. Delphine (Higelin) takes a huge step in her life by picking up and moving to the big city [where] it's not long before [she] is drawn to the dynamic Carole (de France), who heads up a feminist group. Carole has a boyfriend, but the two women quickly discover their mutual affection and become an inseparable couple. This bliss is interrupted, however, when Delphine's father falls sick and she must return to the farm... The film kicks into high gear as Carole must choose whether to stay in Paris, or to follow Delphine." (Toronto International Film Festival)

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Where to watch Summertime (La Belle Saison)

Summertime (La Belle Saison) is available to stream in New... More Zealand now on Google TV and Apple TV Store and Academy On Demand and AroVision.

Summertime (La Belle Saison) | Ratings & Reviews

92_%59 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
73_%540 reviews
Audience score rating

"A country girl falls for Cecile De France in this gently tragic French romance, which welcomes audiences into the powerful glow of their relationship."

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Variety

"A sensitive and moving tale."

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Time Out

"While the physical contrasts between Ms. de France and Ms. Higelin are striking, the differences of temperament and background that separate their characters rarely feel simplified."

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The New York Times

"There are some nice moments and one or two icky ones."

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The Guardian

"Two dull people have a dull love affair in "Summertime," a French drama that drags on like an August afternoon."

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New York Post

"Artfully calculated and authentically felt, the unexpectedly effective "Summertime" combines the conventional structure of classic movie romance with a sensual same-sex frankness that couldn't be more up-to-date."

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