Die Frau des Fliegers

Thematically, The Aviators wife is rich with moral and philosophical detail. Entertainment wise however, the film may prove to be a challenge, and even a bore. The Aviators Wife is a film about reconciling man's innate quest for knowledge and man's imperfect information. Because we often don't have all the facts of a particular situation at hand, we resort to deductions and inferences, which may or may not be right. These inferences lead the main character Francois to grow suspicious and increasingly exasperated that his girlfriend is having an affair with a pilot. He turns to baseless assumptions to back up his already coloured perspective- he sees a blonde with the pilot, and immediately assumes her to be his wife. He sees the aviator walking out his his girlfriends apartment, immediately assuming them to have spent the night together. These events highlight well Rohmers philosophical message in the film- that we have enough worry from facts,and we shan't create additional worry from inferences and deductions. The material however, from an entertainment point of view, is distinctly Rohmer. It is one of the most tacky films I have ever seen, comparable to My Dinner with Andre and slightly more talky then Before Sunrise or other Rohmer outings like A Summer Tale. This style may not be for anyone, and while I do enjoy a talky piece, the dialogue(at least when translated into English subtitles), may appear monotonous and straightforward rather than being incisive or witty. But there are right spots in this film. The entire sequence whereby Francois teams up with Lucie to follow the aviator is a treat. Anne-Laure Meury imbues Lucie with a youthful energy and a humorous like ability than makes these scenes a treat. In an otherwise (fairly) dour film, the puppy like enthusiasm, prodding, and wit of Lucie captures the audiences attention. Other than this middle section where she is in the film however, I cannot fully connect with The Aviators Wife. And that is not because it is talky. Rather the rest of the film seems to lack the passion, the youthful energy which Lucie ironically embodies, the energy and wit which has made before Sunrise so charming. Regardless, for Eric Rohmer fans, The Aviatirs Wife will be a treat and a delight for it deftly blends morals and plot together seamlessly.