Near Orouët, 1971 - ★★★★★

Near Orouet blows in through the jasmine in my mind.

It might be the most perfect film about summer and young friendship that I've ever seen. When I think back on my twenties (which are nearly 30 years ago), Summer weekends spent with girls you only kind of knew -- where relationships stayed indefinable and blurred with ocean (or pool) water and music and sun and wine -- are obviously the ones I remember most fondly.

It's rare a film can capture a feeling so completely - but Rozier's film feels like a lost memory. It is so real, you cannot help but feel your own humanity and memories intertwining with Kareen, Caroline, Gilbert and Joelle. Its nearly 3 hour runtime is completely necessary. Despite so little plot, it never ever drags.

Very grateful to Criterion for streaming Rozier's work in the US for the first time, and to Richard Brody for championing it.

This one is an all time masterpiece.