Perceval le Gallois

Slightly odd piece from Eric Rohmer, 1976
This is odd largely because of its almost kids-TV set, and archaic dialogue. The deliberate lack of realism does create some nice tableaus, especially later on. The general aim though is to show up the theatricality of what is happening. This features, in fact, in many of Rohmer’s films; the sense that something is being acted out for the audience’s benefit. It is very much in keeping with court-entertainment, the deliberately slightly knowing presentation of moral tales to educate and to entertain.
Rohmer shoots it with some establishing shots, but generally operates with his unobtrusive style of separating elements, though some two-shots for conversations. There is a bit of off-screen talking, and perhaps slightly more than usual panning, instead of cutting. Also, their some apparently near-direct attention to the audience. This lends the rest of the piece a further division of artifice.
We again have a male who seems certain of what he is doing, but is led astray and finds he is in fact under another’s influence (a woman’s). He does come to realise this, and what to make of this situation, this choice, is what motivates what goes on.
Things move along swiftly enough here, and the visual style is interesting, with cuts to the chorus-like musicians, each part of the scene being kept in its separate box, always commentating on itself. It is difficult to get too excited, and one must admit it gets a little boring; perhaps not one of Rohmer’s stronger works.