Autumn Tale 1999
Directed by
Eric Rohmer
Made by
October Films
Plot Summary
Magali, a 45-year-old winemaker and widow portrayed by Béatrice Romand, strives to fill the void of loneliness through her cherished vineyards. Her devoted friends, Rosine (Alexia Portal) and Isabelle, hatch individual schemes to rekindle her romantic life, leveraging their unique social skills to attract potential suitors. Isabelle discovers a suitable middle-aged widower, Gerald, through a dating service and takes the initiative to establish contact. However, Magali is adamant about not using personal ads to meet men, as her work often overshadows her personal life, leading Isabelle to go on several dates with Gerald to keep the connection alive.
Simultaneously, Rosine is determined to employ her youthful allure to captivate her older university professor, Etienne, who harbors hopes of a romance with a younger student. As both relationships evolve, each woman reveals the true intent behind their schemes—to bring Magali into the dating scene by showcasing a photo of her. The men, initially surprised by the deception, find their curiosity piqued enough to want to meet Magali.
The culmination of their plans unfolds at Isabelle’s daughter’s wedding, where Rosine’s professor becomes infatuated with another young woman from the school. Amid the festivities, Magali and Gerald find themselves at the wine table, forging an instant connection as they bond over their shared experiences in Northern Africa and the wine business. However, tensions arise when Gerald accidentally encounters Isabelle, leading to an intimate hug that Magali witnesses, prompting her to retreat into a shell of disappointment.
Faced with the choice to leave the wedding, Magali is hindered by her son taking the car, leaving her reliant on a ride home from Isabelle and Gerald, who remain unaware of her earlier sighting. During their tense car ride, Magali and Gerald clash amidst confusion, resulting in her being dropped off at a desolate train station near Orange after a prolonged wait for the train.
Frustrated and defeated, Magali decides to take a taxi back to the wedding, hoping her son has returned the car. In a twist of fate, Gerald also makes his way back to the wedding just before it concludes, looking to discuss the earlier misunderstanding with Isabelle. As they converge, the intricate web of deception unravels, with Isabelle clarifying that her affection lies with her husband, not Gerald. This revelation brings laughter between Magali and Gerald, igniting a newfound commitment to try dating again, free from the tangled ploys, at her upcoming Fall harvest party later in the month.
Timeline
Magali's Life as a Winemaker
Magali, a 45-year-old winemaker, grapples with the loneliness of widowhood while managing her vineyards. Her passion for winemaking becomes her refuge, yet it amplifies her isolation from potential relationships.
Friends Begin Their Schemes
Magali's friends, Rosine and Isabelle, become concerned about her solitary life and decide to take matters into their hands. They each launch individual plans to help her find love, employing their social skills to attract suitors.
Isabelle Contacts Gerald
Isabelle discovers Gerald, a middle-aged widower, through a dating service and takes the initiative to reach out to him. Though keen on helping Magali, she faces resistance as Magali refuses to meet men through personal ads.
Rosine's Efforts with Etienne
Meanwhile, Rosine sets her sights on her older university professor, Etienne, who is more interested in a younger student. Rosine's youthful charm serves as a tool to draw attention to herself while also driving Magali's romantic interest.
The Reveal of Intentions
As both schemes develop, the true intent behind Rosine and Isabelle's actions comes to light. They want to showcase a photo of Magali to spark interest from the men, ultimately hoping to encourage her to join the dating scene.
Wedding Festivities Begin
The climax of their plans takes place at Isabelle's daughter's wedding. Amidst the joyous celebrations, Rosine's professor becomes infatuated with another young woman, leaving Rosine feeling sidelined in her own plan.
Magali Meets Gerald
In an unexpected turn, Magali and Gerald connect over their shared experiences in Northern Africa and a mutual love for wine. Their instant chemistry marks a pivotal moment, indicating a possible romantic future.
Tensions Arise
However, things take a turn when Gerald inadvertently hugs Isabelle, a moment that Magali witnesses. This sight causes Magali to feel a deep disappointment and retreat from the newfound connection she had with Gerald.
Getting Home Becomes a Challenge
Magali faces a dilemma when her son has taken the car, leaving her stranded. Reluctantly, she has to depend on a ride home from Isabelle and Gerald, who remain unaware of her feelings of hurt.
Dropped off at the Train Station
During a tense car ride, conflicts arise between Magali and Gerald, leading to her being dropped off at a lonely train station after a frustrating wait for her train. This moment exacerbates her sense of isolation.
Decision to Return to the Wedding
Feeling despondent, Magali decides to take a taxi back to the wedding, hoping that her son would have returned with the car. This decision reflects her wish to confront her feelings head-on.
Gerald Returns to the Wedding
As fate would have it, Gerald also decides to return to the wedding before it ends, eager to resolve the earlier misunderstanding. Their paths cross again, setting the stage for a critical conversation.
Unraveling the Web of Deception
When Magali and Gerald reconnect, the web of deception crafted by Isabelle is revealed. Isabelle clarifies her true feelings, indicating that her affections remain with her husband and not towards Gerald.
Building a New Future
With misunderstandings cleared, laughter ensues between Magali and Gerald as they feel a mutual attraction blooming again. They agree to pursue a genuine relationship free from the past ploys at her upcoming Fall harvest party.
Characters
Magali (Béatrice Romand)
Magali is a resilient 45-year-old winemaker whose life revolves around her cherished vineyards following the loss of her husband. Despite her independence, she grapples with profound loneliness, leading her friends to intervene in her romantic life. Her journey reflects a quest for connection and the challenges of opening her heart to love again.
Isabelle (Marie Rivière)
Isabelle is one of Magali's devoted friends, known for her social skills and determination to rekindle Magali's romantic life. Her well-meaning schemes often walk the fine line between supportive and deceptive, showcasing her loyalty but also the complexities that arise in their friendship. Through her actions, she reveals the depth of her affection for Magali.
Setting
Time period
Contemporary
The events of 'Autumn Tale' unfold in contemporary times, reflecting the social dynamics and challenges of modern relationships. It showcases the emotional journeys of its characters against the backdrop of current societal norms, especially in the realm of dating and personal connections.
Location
Vineyards, Northern Africa, Orange
The movie is set in beautiful vineyards, known for their scenic landscapes and rich wine production, which serve as a backdrop for Magali's life as a winemaker. Northern Africa plays a significant role in the characters' backstories, representing shared experiences that bring them together. Additionally, a desolate train station near Orange serves as a symbol of Magali's isolation and moments of introspection.
Themes
❤️
Love & Loneliness
The theme of love and loneliness is central to the film, exploring Magali's struggles as a widow seeking companionship while being surrounded by devoted friends. The characters' various schemes to ignite romance highlight the yearning for connection, even amidst the challenges posed by their complex pasts and current lives.
🎭
Deception & Truth
Deception and truth weave throughout the narrative, as the characters navigate their romantic entanglements with hidden intentions. The facades they create ultimately lead to moments of revelation, showcasing how misunderstandings can either complicate or clarify relationships.
🍷
Wine Culture
The culture of winemaking and its importance to the characters' identities is a recurring theme. The vineyards symbolize both a source of livelihood and a space for personal reflection, ultimately serving as a metaphor for growth, both in relationships and self-discovery.
Featured on this page
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Check out our other apps:
Actors
Companies
Latest Movies
© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.