With tomorrow the autumn equinox, or Mabon, I thought it might be fun for us all to share our favourite fall movies.
When I think of autumn, I think of the changing leaves of New England and through that Merchant Ivory’s adaptation of Henry James’ The Europeans (1979; novella published 1878.) Though The Europeans: A sketch starts in spring and moves through summer to end in early fall, Ismail Merchant and James Ivory's decision to move the filming to autumn truly shows off the New England setting to the greatest advantage—the trees going from the brightest yellows, oranges, and reds, to almost barren over the course of the movie.
Last fall, I posted the clip below to Instagram. Gertrude Wentworth (Lisa Eichhorn) walks up the allée to the summerhouse, filmed at Barrett House in New Ipswich, New Hampshire; her European cousin, Felix Young (Tim Woodward), surprises her and she then leads him back down through the glorious leaves.
This is my first time setting up a discussion thread, so I’m opening it up to all subscribers—what films instantly put you in a fall mood, no matter where you are? What do you make sure to watch each year?
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, An Affair to Remember, The Sandpiper, Far From the Madding Crowd, Kramer v. Kramer, The Graduate, A Touch of Class, and more recently, Rushmore. All so bittersweet, beginnings and endings....
When Harry Met Sally and Last Days of Disco
You’ve Got Mail. Covers all seasons but so quintessentially NY autumn.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, An Affair to Remember, The Sandpiper, Far From the Madding Crowd, Kramer v. Kramer, The Graduate, A Touch of Class, and more recently, Rushmore. All so bittersweet, beginnings and endings....
I'm picking "Love Story" because who wouldn't want to wear Ali MacGraw's camel coat in that film? And the rest of her outfits, of course.
Children of a Lesser God, Chocolat, Firelight (Sophie Marceau & Stephen Dillane), and Possession (Gwyneth Paltrow & Aaron Eckhart) 🍂
Marathon Man. Great New York setting, and I love Marthe Keller’s and Roy Scheider’s clothes.