Acclaimed French filmmaker
Eric Rohmer adapts author Honoré d'Urfé's classic, 17th Century novel to craft this morally complex tale of romance concerning a young couple about to be betrothed, but driven apart by a tragic misunderstanding. Céladon (Andy Gillet) and Astrée (Stéphanie Crayencour) are deeply in love. Each has vowed that they want to spend the rest of their lives together, but their future union is suddenly thrown into question when one day on the riverbank Astrée sees Céladon kissing another woman. Subsequently banning Céladon from her sight forever, the inconsolable Astrée is horrified to learn that Céladon has heard her decree, and attempted to take his own life by leaping into the river. When Astrée realizes that her impulsive anger was the direct cause of her beloved's death, her profound devastation leads her to deduct that Céladon's love was indeed true. Later, upon learning that Céladon has miraculously survived his suicide attempt, Astrée finds her attempt at reconciliation has come too little too late when her once future husband refuses to acknowledge the lift on her ban. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide