Eric Rohmer’s ‘Le Rayon Vert’: Kenneth Turan’s critic’s pick film

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If you’re looking for a quintessential summer movie that’s got nothing to do with comic books or explosions, you couldn’t do better than this timely revival of Eric Rohmer’s 1986 ‘Le Rayon Vert,’ translated as ‘The Green Ray’ and originally released in this country as ‘Summer.’

The fifth in the series Rohmer called ‘Comedies and Proverbs,’ this playful examination of the delicate dance of human nature follows an idiosyncratic young Parisian secretary (Marie Riviere) who is searching both for a summer vacation plan and a soul mate, not necessarily in that order.

As always with this director, the frustrations and complications we build into our lives are front and center. This time, a novel by Jules Verne with the same name also plays a key part.

Playing at Laemmle’s Monica in Santa Monica, Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, Laemmle’s Town Center in Encino and Laemmle’s Claremont beginning Aug. 18. A full schedule can be found here.

-- Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times film critic