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I loved Rohmer's movies. There's nothing else like them. I'm sad to see his era end.

Besides being a great filmmaker, in the mid-1950s, Rohmer also co-wrote (with Chabrol) the first serious analysis of Hitchcock. Called The First Forty-Four Films, it predates the more famous book Truffaut compiled. If you have the chance, Rohmer's is a very interesting analysis if not mainly because it is free of the critical dogma that has derailed a lot of academic work in relation to film (i.e., film schools). As can be seen from his films, Rohmer was a humanist and we're fortunate to have seen what he had to offer.

It does seem like an end of an era of sorts.

Rohmer had something Checkov also had in stories in that he never seemed to judge his characters and even when they were doing something sellfish there was always an element of sympathy and understanding.

His films had an incredible naturalistic quality but apart from maybe "Claire's Knee" they didn't seem very voyeuristic.

Comparing him with Woody Allen seems like an oversimplication though. I understand where you are coming from for there is a certain keenship in how they both concentrated in exploring relationships/changing tastes and lovers/and occasional confusion but apart but there also seem to be sufficient thematic differences that make them very distinct and occasionally even opposites. Ironically enough, I always felt that "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" was the most Rohmeresque of all his films and amalgram of his earlier films were sexuality was more explicit and larer ones where characters seemed just a little bit wiser.

My favorite film that he Rohmer made (though I haven't really seen them all) is Summer's Tale. So believable, so recognizible, so perfect. The only thing Rohmers films demand, are patience but once you allow yourself a chance to aclimate his films are very easy too watch and are incredibly rewarding.

"Les rendez-vous de Paris" from 1995 is the first one I've seen and it is an excellent introduction to the man's work for those interested.

I will remember Rohmer for his dialogues, his subtle direction.

Fair enough about Allen, Gonzo. My guess is that a significant percentage of readers have no experience with Rohmer's work, as important as it is to others. And thus, the point of reference.

No problem, as far as a point of reference goes, I really can't think of anyone better than Allen with the sole exception of Richard Linklater and his Before Sunrise/Before Sunset series.

This is another reminder how much we should treasure those filmmakers who bless us with intelligence and insight into our own lives. Their movies never make as much money as films filmed with action and violence but they really deserve a lot more respect then they got for they really are our treasure.

I also hold that in the right mood Rohmer's best films provide just as much pure escapism and entertainment as any blockbusters.

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