Review of Alphaville (1965) by Gordon C — 28 Apr 2008

I'm sure there are a lot of things about this film which one could appreciate properly with a better understanding of and greater familiarity with other French cinema of the period. I haven't had a chance to do that much research, but it doesn't really matter - even without such knowledge this is an excellent film which stands out on its own merit.

The imposing characters are effectively elucidated with the most minimal gestures and expressions, and the juxtaposition of conversations about space travel in the prosaic settings of contemporary Paris creates an other-worldliness which many other science fiction films can only pretend to.

But for me, the most engaging feature is the depiction of the computer, alpha 60, who ostensibly rules over a society in which emotion has been eliminated, or at least suppressed, yet has a voice which absolutely drips with luxurious sensuality.