Rent Claire's Knee (1970)

3.5 of 5 from 94 ratings
1h 41min
Rent Claire's Knee (aka Le Genou de Claire) Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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Synopsis:
The fifth and undeniably most accessible of French auteur Eric Rohmer's Moral Tales, Claire's Knee concerns Jerome (Jean-Claude Brialy), an affianced diplomat who bumps into successful novelist and old flame Aurora (Aurora Cornu) whilst holidaying by the picturesque Lac d'Annecy. In search of inspiration, Aurora persuades Jerome to indulge in a little flirtation with Laura (Beatrice Romand), the sprightly teenage daughter of an acquaintance. However, events take a more serious turn when the diplomat finds himself falling for Laura's luminous half-sister Claire (Laurence de Managhan).
Struggling to suppress his desires, Jerome decides to channel his energies into one simple act, a gentle caress of Claire's knee.
Actors:
, , , , , , , Sandra Franchina
Directors:
Writers:
Eric Rohmer
Aka:
Le Genou de Claire
Studio:
Optimum
Genres:
Drama
Collections:
The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to: Éric Rohmer, Top 10 Barnyard Bird Films, Top 10 Tennis Films, Top Films
Countries:
France
BBFC:
Release Date:
28/10/2002
Run Time:
101 minutes
Languages:
French LPCM Mono
Subtitles:
English
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.37:1
Colour:
Colour

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Reviews (2) of Claire's Knee

Knee-Deep in Delusion - Claire's Knee review by griggs

Spoiler Alert
09/07/2025


If Rohmer’s films are all about the long game, Claire’s Knee might be his slipperiest serve. On the surface it’s just a languid Alpine holiday: sun-bleached days, boats bobbing on Lac d’Annecy, elegant chatter over too-warm wine. But at its centre sits Jérôme, a thirty-something diplomat who spends the summer explaining—almost as if to camera—why the curve of a teenager’s knee has him in such a spin. It’s deeply uncomfortable, and Rohmer knows it. The film doesn’t excuse his fixation; it quietly dares us to sit with it.


What follows is a masterclass in psychological fencing. Rohmer’s talky script strips away melodrama and leaves only self-justifications, shifting boundaries, and the creeping question of whether Jérôme will cross the line. Every idle ramble lands like a feint in a chess match. The finale, when it comes, is pure Rohmer: no fireworks, just the quiet sting of implication.


Yes, it’s thorny. And yes, you’re meant to feel the discomfort. But beneath the sun-dappled charm lies a razor-sharp study of ego, control, and the lies we tell ourselves when the stakes are low—but the consequences are not.


1 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

Not Rohmer at his best - Claire's Knee review by Tim from London

Spoiler Alert
17/02/2007

I know this is supposed to be one of Rohmer's masterpeice's but I much prefer his later works. It's hard to enjoy some of his films where all the character's are not likeable and going through middle class existential crises. In this film the lead character is particularly unattractive - partly because I couldn't see the point of his need to control his emotions to touch Claire's knee but mostly because his lerching after young girls was thoroughly disturbing. Perhaps reflects the time it was made?

0 out of 4 members found this review helpful.

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