Review of Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) by A.j. S — 13 Oct 2010
The type of film that remains essential because of the context it effortlessly operates in. Even today Robert Bressonâ??s â??Au Hasard Balthazarâ?? is the only film of its kind, as it keeps the audience interested in and empathetic of an animal subjected to extreme cruelty.
It is hard to believe that any production solely surrounding an animal â?? and especially a donkey â?? would be able to carry any allegorical or underlying weight, yet Bresson makes it so without obvious parallels.
Always the religious proxy of sorts, Bresson refuses to beat his audience over the head with pious symbology. In being an ingenious idea itself, not much else is needed to support it, however beautiful cinematography and an inspired tone enhance the experience.
The acting is noticeably lacking and it is assumed that it was intentional to further the filmâ??s exploration of inhumanity among the people and humanity among â??inferiorâ?? beings. This is a minor and necessary step for the feelings Bresson wishes to attain, and the feelings he manages to achieve from his audience range from embrace to abandon; there is idealist fantasy and realist cruelty.
Balthazar is one of the most memorable characters in cinema, for the same reasons his film is and not for any character traits or specific actions â?? he is remembered solely for the fact that he is a pure being in the face of the cruelty everyone experiences and ultimately succumbs to.
Indeed, if one can make it through the duration, there are rewards to be had.
This review of Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) was written by A.j. S on 13 Oct 2010.
Au Hasard Balthazar has generally received very positive reviews.
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