You still have a few days to catch this wonderful new print of Jean-Luc's Godard early masterpiece at Film Forum (I wouldn't be surprised if it it gets held over).
I am not a big Godard fan. I find him pedantic and petulant most times. But there is something about the lyricism of this black-and-white elegy that raises it to the level of poetry.
We know were in for something different right from the first scene (the film is divided into 12 scenes, each with its dutiful Godard placard). Nana (Anna Karina) is having a conversation with her estranged husband in some nameless Parisian cafe. They talk about their child, his parents, why she has left him (to become a film actress). And the entire conversation is shot from behind; all we are seeing is the back of their heads!
Karina was concerned about her looks during the filming; she felt her deteriorating relationship with Godard and a low budget were making her look "bad". I'd have to disagree. She looks luminous and her dark pageboy haircut accentuates her keen features. She is a doomed beauty. How can you not love her as we watch her watching an interrogation scene from Dreyer's Passion of Saint Joan? Godard certainly lavished the same doting close-up time to his saintly title character as Dreyer did to his.
A masterpiece!! Catch this great new 35mm print while you can!!
Le Rêve Américain
8 years ago
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