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Poster for The Romance of Astrea and Celadon

The Romance of Astrea and Celadon

A Rohmerian delight, another ritualized romance

2007 · 1h 49m · N/A Drama, Romance
Directed by Éric Rohmer

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Overview

In an enchanted forest, back in the time of the Druids, the shepherd Céladon and the shepherdess Astrée share a pure and chaste love. Fooled by a suitor, Astrée dismisses Céladon, who throws himself into a river out of despair. She thinks he's dead, but he's been secretly rescued by some nymphs. Faithful to the promise he made to Astrée to never appear before her again, Céladon must overcome many obstacles to break the curse. Mad with love and despair, coveted by the nymphs, surrounded by rivals, and obliged to disguise himself as a woman to be near the one he loves, will he manage to make himself known without breaking his oath? A romance filled with doubt, hazards, and delicious temptations.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
66%
Tomatometer
Fresh

In what he claims will be his final film, 87-year-old Eric Rohmer fashions a serenely daffy coda to a half a lifetime spent behind the camera exploring the vicissitudes of romance.

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
Fresh

It's often as fresh and buoyant as [Rohmer's] modern takes on the battle of the sexes.

John Hartl, Seattle Times
Fresh

It is the wisdom, passion, joy and hope with which he invests the film that makes it so terribly moving.

Wally Hammond, Time Out
Fresh

The movie looks and feels exactly how it probably was to make: like a walk in the park.

Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
Fresh

The nymphs and druids who frolic through The Romance of Astrea and Celadon occupy mythological space between Shakespeare and Greek mythology.

Stephen Holden, New York Times

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