Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about two early works of French Nouvelle Vague director Eric Rohmer: “The Bakery Girl of Monceau” and “Suzanne’s Career” – both films from 1963.  

“The Bakery Girl of Monceau” tells the story of a student who is caught between a woman he adores and a bakery saleswoman and focuses on relationships and chance. “Suzanne's Career” examines the complicated relationship between two friends and a student, focusing on exploitation and emotional development.  

Both films are early examples of Rohmer's style, focusing on the interpersonal relationships of young people and their emotional development, often in a nouvelle vague documentary style.  

We will gradually review the other films of Eric Rohmer as well. To avoid missing these reviews, you can subscribe to our channel and activate the notification bell. This way, you’ll stay updated on the next Rohmer film critiques and all other new releases on this channel.  

The Bakery Girl of Monceau  

Plot:  

An early work by Eric Rohmer, the first of his “Six Moral Tales”. It is about a young man who falls in love with a girl on the street, but doesn't see her again for a few days. In the meantime he flirts with a girl in a bakery. In the end, he has to choose between the two young ladies.  

Suzanne’s Career  

Plot:  

In his second film in the series “Six Moral Tales”, Eric Rohmer explores the relationship between two friends and a girl who is easy to exploit at first glance. Bertrand's and Guillaume's friendship becomes complicated when the womanizer Guillaume begins to make a pass at the charming girl called Suzanne. It is a complex story of feelings and misunderstandings that takes place in the mind of the main character.

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “The Idea of You” by director Michael Showalter from 2024. We highlight the film's unexpected shift in tone: from an initially light romantic comedy to an examination of the protagonists' age difference, the challenges of their relationship in the spotlight and the ugliness of online bullying.  

Although we praise Anne Hathaway's acting performance, we criticize the fact that her potential is not fully exploited. Overall, we rate the film as worth seeing due to its more profound themes.  

Plot:  

The art gallery owner Solène (Anne Hathaway) is a 40-year-old single mother. When she reluctantly accompanies her teenage daughter to a music festival she unexpectedly meets 24-year-old Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine). Hayes is the lead singer of August Moon, the world's hottest boy band.  

There's an instant spark between Solène and Hayes. The two embark on an unexpected and whirlwind romance, but it doesn't take long for Hayes' superstar status to pose inevitable challenges to their relationship. Solène soon discovers that life in the spotlight isn't necessarily what she had imagined.

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy. We describe the three films “Before Sunrise” (1995), “Before Sunset” (2004) and “Before Midnight” (2013) in detail, summarizing their plot and tracing the development of the relationship between the main characters Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Céline (Julie Delpy) over a period of 18 years.  

We pay particular attention to the realistic dialog and the long, uncut scenes. We praise the films as absolute classics of the romantic genre and emphasize the quality of the sequels.  

Plot:  

Before Sunrise (USA/AUT 1995)  

American tourist Jesse and French student Céline meet by chance on a train. Jesse senses a connection developing between them and asks Céline to spend the day with him in Vienna, which she agrees to do.  

They explore Vienna mostly on foot, engaging in profound conversations. How can two complete strangers build such an intimate connection in just one day? What is the special thing that binds two people so strongly? What will happen to them when Jesse flies back home the next morning?  

Before Sunset (USA/FRA 2004)  

Jesse, now a writer, and Céline, who works for an environmental protection organization after her studies, met nine years earlier on a train from Budapest to Vienna.  

They meet again when Jesse arrives in Paris for a reading of his book. Jesse has very little time because he has to catch his flight back to the USA. However, Céline and Jesse want to make the most of their time together and stroll through Paris. They reminisce about Vienna, talk about their experiences, their views, and what has become of their great love for each other.  

Before Midnight (USA/GRE 2013)  

Jesse and Céline met 18 years earlier on a train to Vienna. Nine years ago, they reunited in Paris. In the third part of the trilogy, the two have been together for many years.  

They spend a summer in Greece at the invitation of one of Jesse's writer colleagues. As the vacation nears its end, Jesse begins to question his life choices. This puts his relationship with Céline at risk, who might have imagined their time together differently.

Content:

In this podcast, we talk about the German film “From Hilde with Love”, German title “In Liebe, Eure Hilde”, from 2024 by director Andreas Dresen.  

The film tells the story of Hilde Coppi, a resistance fighter in an anti-Nazi group in Berlin in 1942. We highlight Liv Lisa Fries' performance, but criticizes the slow pace and superficial narrative style. We compare the film with other works about the Nazi resistance and find it less gripping and profound. We also criticize the fact that the Rote Kapelle (Red Orchestra) is hardly mentioned if at all in the film.  

Plot:  

In Berlin in 1942, Hilde is a member of an anti-Nazi resistance group. She gradually falls in love with another member, Hans Coppi, and the two share an unforgettable summer together, even though their lives are constantly in danger. Eventually, they are captured by the Gestapo, and Hilde is imprisoned while eight months pregnant.

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about Alfred Hitchcock's film “Psycho” from 1960 which has, without exaggeration, changed cinema and is a milestone in film history.  

We analyze the film's innovative cinematic techniques, such as the camera work, the use of music and the surprising plot development. The groundbreaking shower murder scene and the film's influence on later thrillers and slasher films are particularly emphasized. We also talk about Hitchcock's ability to manipulate the audience and establish a new genre. We mention the film's significance for film history and its lasting impact on modern cinema.  

Plot:  

A secretary on the run for embezzlement spends the night in a remote motel run by a repressed man and his overbearing mother.

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “Flight Risk” by director Mel Gibson from 2025. Set almost entirely in a small plane over Alaska, the movie is about a pilot, a U.S. Marshal and a prisoner, though not everyone on board is honest.  

We criticize the uneven pacing and mediocre execution, but praise the performances of Michelle Dockery and Topher Grace. We find Mark Wahlberg's performance polarizing and exaggerated.   Overall, we rate “Flight Risk” as a functional but forgettable thriller with visual and production flaws.  

Plot  

In this thriller, Mark Wahlberg plays a bald pilot tasked with transporting an Air Marshal who is escorting a prisoner to his trial. As they traverse the rugged wilderness of Alaska, the tension escalates. The trust between the three is put to the test, as not everyone on board is completely honest.

Content:

In this podcast, we talk about the French film La Belle Neusoise by Jacques Rivette from 1991.  

The film, which exists in two versions (four and two hours), depicts the creation of a painting and the complex relationships between the ageing painter Edouard Frenhofer, his wife and his model Marianne.  

The podcast highlights the film's slow-paced narrative and philosophical depth, focusing on the importance of art and the sacrifices it demands. The film eschews a romantic relationship between painter and model, focusing instead on the souls of the protagonists and their artistic process. The sparse sound design and the few dialogues underline the visual and emotional intensity.

Plot:  

Formerly famous painter Edouard Frenhofer (Michel Piccoli) lives in seclusion with his wife Liz (Jane Birkin) in a country house in the French Provence.

When the young artist Nicolas visits him with his girlfriend Marianne, Frenhofer decides to resume work on his painting “The Beautiful Troublemaker” after a ten-year break. And he desperately wants Marianne (Emmanuelle Béart) to become his model.

The creative process that follows changes the lives of the protagonists. Questions are asked about truth and life as well as the meaning and limits of art.

The film is based on the short story “The Unknown Masterpiece” by the 19th century French poet Honoré de Balzac.

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about the 2025 sci-fi thriller “Companion” by director Drew Hancock.  

We highlight the movie's blend of dark comedy, social satire, and exploration of AI anxieties. We praise the performances of Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid, and the film's brisk pacing and surprising plot twists. We also note some shortcomings, such as a predictable third act and underdeveloped supporting characters.  

Despite these flaws, we deem "Companion" a well-crafted and entertaining debut, suggesting Hancock is a filmmaker to watch. The film uses a pastel aesthetic to balance the gore with humor, and keeps the audience engaged with its many surprises.  

Plot:  

The story kicks off with Iris, a young woman smitten with her boyfriend Josh, recounting their grocery-store meet-cute in a voiceover tinged with nostalgia—and a chilling hint of violence. Soon, the couple heads to a remote lakehouse for a weekend getaway with Josh’s friends.  

What starts as a familiar cabin-in-the-woods setup quickly pivots when Iris, blood-soaked and panicked, returns from a lakeside encounter, revealing a shocking truth. From there, the film spirals into a chaotic mix of betrayal, murder, and darkly comic power plays.

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about the Italian romantic comedy “Madly in Love” (1981) by the directors Castellano & Pipolo starring Ornella Muti as a bored princess and Adriano Celentano as a charming bus driver.  

The film is a homage to “Roman Holiday” (1953) by William Wyler, but unlike its role model, it mainly offers slapstick humor. We praise Celentano's comedic talent and Muti's screen presence, see the film as entertaining and, in our opinion, surpassing its predecessor “The Taming of the Scoundrel”.  

Plot:  

Cristina, played by Ornella Muti, is the princess of a fictional monarchical state named Saint Tulipe. She is visiting Rome with her parents. Bored and rebellious, Cristina sneaks away from the embassy to explore the city. She meets Barnaba, the rough-around-the-edges bus driver played by Adriano Celentano, who instantly falls in love with the princess.  

Background:  

Ornella Muti gained fame with films alongside Adriano Celentano. The film "The Taming of the Scoundrel" (1980) was so successful with this dream team that a sequel was immediately produced: "Madly in Love" from 1981.  

The original Italian title is "Innamorato pazzo," which translates to "Crazy Lover."  

The film was written and directed by Castellano & Pipolo, who also wrote the screenplay and directed "The Taming of the Scoundrel."

Content:  

In this podcast, we talk about “The Brutalist” by director Brady Corbet from 2024. The film tells the story of architect László Tóth, who starts a new life in the USA after the Second World War. We praise the acting performances, especially by Adrien Brody, and the impressive cinematography in VistaVision format. However, we criticize the film's overlong running time and excessive symbolism, which unnecessarily complicate the narrative. “The Brutalist”, that won two Oscars for Best Male Lead and Best Cinematography is impressive and has potential but is an imperfect film.  

Plot:  

When visionary architect László and his wife Erzsébet flee post-war Europe in 1947 to rebuild their legacy and witness the rise of the modern United States, their lives are forever changed by the mysterious and wealthy industrialist Harrison Van Buren. He commissions László to design a grand modernist monument, which becomes the most ambitious project of László's career.