A Summer's Tale
Year: 2014
Runtime: 113 min
Language: French
Director: Eric Rohmer
Budget: $60M
During his summer vacation, recent college graduate Gaspard finds himself by the Brittany coast, navigating the complexities of love and friendship. With the possibility of a relationship hanging in the balance, he experiences a series of unexpected encounters and forms meaningful connections. As the summer progresses, Gaspard is challenged to examine his own desires and the true nature of relationships, leading to a journey of self-discovery.
A Summer's Tale (2014) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview
Get a spoiler-free look at A Summer's Tale (2014) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the golden haze of a Breton summer, a recent mathematics graduate finds himself lodged in a quiet seaside flat, the rhythmic crash of waves framing his days. He drifts between composing melodies on his guitar and wandering the pastel streets of Dinard, where the scent of salt and fresh pastries hangs in the air. The town itself feels both intimate and expansive—a place where the cadence of the tide mirrors the ebb and flow of youthful yearning.
Gaspard’s world quickly fills with a handful of vibrant companions. At a modest local café, Margot, a lively waitress with a scholarly bent in ethnology, offers a fresh perspective on the everyday lives of the coastal community. Meanwhile, the promise of an on‑and‑off romance with Léna lingers nearby, a reminder of past ties that still tug at his heart. Adding another layer, Solène, a confident friend of Margot’s, exudes an easy charisma that draws the young musician into new experiences and unspoken possibilities. Their interactions are marked by warm conversation, quiet glances, and the subtle push‑and‑pull of summer flirtations, all set against a backdrop of folk songs and seaside festivals.
The film sways between languid, sun‑drenched moments and the restless introspection that comes with a season of transition. Its tone is a gentle mix of wistful humor and tender observation, inviting the audience to feel the salt on their skin and the uncertainty in Gaspard’s heart. As friendships deepen and desires stir, the story becomes a meditation on what it means to search for authenticity amid the fleeting joys of a short, unforgettable summer by the sea.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 05:26
Explore Movie Threads
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Wistful Summer Self-Discovery Movies like A Summer's Tale
Characters finding themselves during a transformative, sun-drenched season.If you liked the gentle, melancholic vibe of A Summer's Tale, explore more movies about characters experiencing a pivotal summer of growth. These films capture the bittersweet feeling of fleeting romances and self-discovery in idyllic seasonal settings, perfect for fans of contemplative coming-of-age stories.
Narrative Summary
The narrative follows a character, often at a crossroads, who spends a summer in a beautiful, often coastal, location. The plot is driven by character interactions and internal reflection rather than external events, leading to a journey of self-discovery that culminates in an ambiguous or bittersweet ending, emphasizing personal growth over tidy resolutions.
Why These Movies?
These films are grouped by their shared mood of wistful nostalgia, a slow, observational pacing that mirrors a lazy summer, and a central theme of using a specific season as a backdrop for exploring identity, relationships, and the pain and beauty of transience.
Movies about Romantic Indecision like A Summer's Tale
Stories where love is a question mark, not an exclamation point.Fans of A Summer's Tale will appreciate these similar stories exploring the complexities of romantic ambivalence. Discover movies where the love triangle is a catalyst for introspection, featuring gentle pacing, light emotional weight, and endings that prioritize character growth over conventional romance.
Narrative Summary
The plot revolves around a protagonist who is emotionally available but commitment-averse, forming multiple meaningful connections. The central tension comes from their inability to choose, leading to a narrative that explores the nuances of each relationship. The story concludes without a definitive romantic resolution, instead highlighting the protagonist's personal journey.
Why These Movies?
This thread connects films based on their shared focus on ambivalence as a core romantic theme, a low-intensity and character-driven approach to love stories, and an acceptance of ambiguity that mirrors the complexities of real-life relationships.
Unlock the Full Story of A Summer's Tale
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A Summer's Tale Summary
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A Summer's Tale Timeline
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