Review of Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) by Wut S — 28 Aug 2008

This is a beloved film by many, and I'll keep that in mind when I say "I'll never watch this shit ever again." I can admit I've probably missed the cultural importance of this film, but waving the allegorical flag in the face of narrative structure is a perfect equation for disaster. Let's make a film where the only thing that is presented are symbols. The only use of narrative is strictly to give the characters a half-ass reason to move across the screen. No matter how much intelligent artistry is put into a film, it cannot claim itself as a story unless that art is telling a story. When your story isn't anything more than the strict phrase a woman treated like a donkey, it's going to be pointless. It is possible to create stories in which the artistry reinforces or even further enhances the narrative, but not in this film. You will be watching def poetry jam in the most absurd sense. This film pissed me off.

Grade: F / Views: 1.