Chloe in the Afternoon (L’amour, l’apres-midi) 
Directed by Eric Rohmer
Written by Eric Rohmer
1972/France
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel
Frédéric: I think some element of mystery is essential for people who live together.
Somehow these meditations by Eric Rohmer on morality and modern love never get old.
The setting is contemporary Paris. Frederic (Bernard Verley) manages an office and is married to Helen (Francoise Verley), with whom he has an adorable toddler and a baby on the way. They are happily married but somehow his marriage has opened him up to a rich fantasy life in which he speculates about pretty women on the street. He flirts mildly with his secretaries.
Chloe (Zouzou) reappears in Frederic’s life as he is in this weakened state. Chloe was Frederic’s best friend’s girlfriend back in the day and they flirted at that time. Now Chloe needs a job. Frederic has none to give her. Then she slowly starts a seduction campaign in which they meet in the afternoon to play with fire. I love the ending of this movie and will close this summary far before we get there.
This is another gentle, dialogue-rich rom-com from Eric Rohmer. I love his observation of all the subtle details that make up the relationships of men with women. I love his wit and I love his humanity. Warmly recommended.
This is the last of Rohmer’s “Six Moral Tales”.
