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"Summer Hours" is a New York Times critics' pick A family ensembler of utter simplicity, ". . . 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." |
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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. |
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New York Times review (A. O. Scott) Variety review (Derek Elley) 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) |
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Varsity Theatre, 1207 25th St., Des Moines IA 50311-3005 |
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COMING SOON: "VALENTINO — THE LAST EMPEROR" Official Movie Website |