Review of Trans-Europ-Express (1966) by Noah J — 20 Sep 2008
It is by no means perverse to say that Robbe-Grillet made a new wave film more enjoyable than anything Godard and Truffaut made in the 60s. What makes Trans-Europ-Express stand out is its rigorously controlled but relentlessly refreshing mise-en-scene.
Nothing feels accidental here. All music comes and goes at appropriate moments. There's not a single scene that isolates itself as the filmmaker's "idea of the day" that brings more coolness than relevance.
This is not to say that I dislike improvisations; it's just really satisfying to see a new wave story brought to life with steady architecture. Trans-Europ-Express also predates John Boorman's Point Blank in the use of editing that defies time and space in a genre movie.
The technique would be later glorified to its full intensity by Steven Soderbergh.
This review of Trans-Europ-Express (1966) was written by Noah J on 20 Sep 2008.
Trans-Europ-Express has generally received positive reviews.
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