La Collectionneuse (The Collector)

La Collectionneuse, Rohmer’s third filmed but officially fourth Contes Moraux, marked the breakthrough of his first cycle to a wider cinephile audience. As in all the Contes Moraux, a man is seduced by a second woman, but ultimately returns to his first love. In a villa near Saint-Tropez (the city of all sins ever since the Vadim-Bardot duo shot Et Dieu créa la femme there), Adrien, Daniel and Haydée share sultry summer days. Haydée, the ‘collector’ of the title, constantly switches lovers, whilst Adrien and Daniel believe they can manipulate her. Their psychological games result in misunderstandings and ironic defeats. The sunny, sensual atmosphere makes this variation on Rohmer’s ethical and emotional themes deceptively light-hearted, for the film also leaves a bitter aftertaste. During rehearsals, Rohmer allowed the actors to help shape their dialogue, which lends this amorous round dance a striking spontaneity.