"Summer Hours" is a New York Times critics' pick
"(an) extraordinary film . . . packed nearly to bursting with rich meaning and deep implication . . . there is not a dull moment
in "Summer Hours" — A. O. Scott, New York Times


A family ensembler of utter simplicity,
Oliver Assayas' "Summer Hours" is a salutory reminder that
some of this writer-director's best work
comes in modest packages." — Derek Elley, Variety


". . . the film builds its emotional power by stealth, indirectly, refusing to be a tearjerker, always realistic, and yet observing how very sad it is to see a large part of your life disappear. The actors all find the correct notes. It is a French film, and so they are allowed to be adult and intelligent. They are not the creatures of a screenplay that hurries them along. The film is not about what will happen. It is about them."
— Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

NOW SHOWING!
at the
VARSITY
THEATRE

25th & University
Des Moines

Across from Drake University
Nightly at 7:30, 9:30
Sat.-Sun. matinee 1:30

Mondays and Tuesdays are
Student Discount Nights

In the rambling garden of a country house north of Paris, lecturer Frederic, designer Adrienne, and sportswear company representative Jeremie, are gathered with partners and kids for a lunch to celebrate the 75th birthday of their widowed mother Helene. She's the proudly independent and protective keeper of the flame — and the valuable belongings — of her late uncle, a well-known artist. Months later, when Helene herself dies, the three siblings come together once more to decide what to do with the house, its coveted contents, and Helene's faithful housekeeper Eloise. Summer Hours is an effortlessly classy and intellectually stimulating piece of work. Admirably unsentimental in its treatment of grief, the film has echoes of Eric Rohmer in its extended conversational scenes, and a cast of actors who embody their characters with absolute assurance. This is Olivier Assayas's most fully satisfying film for some while; a warm, wise drama about the tensions and mysteries of family life that is beautifully performed, intelligently written and fluently directed.

New York Times review (A. O. Scott)

Variety review (Derek Elley)

Time Out New York review

Roger Ebert's review (Chicago Sun-Times)

Christian Science Monitor review (Peter Rainer)

Los Angeles Times review (Kenneth Turan)

Trailer (Apple Website; Quick Time)

Trailer (You Tube)

Varsity Theatre, 1207 25th St., Des Moines IA 50311-3005
Telephone (515) 277-0404
FAX (515) 277-0440
Theatre Office does not have E-mail
Please CALL or FAX only
Your message can be left at 277-0404 after the announcement message

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