Review of Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) by Shane R — 12 Oct 2007
Balthazar is a donkey, the main character of Robert Bresson's spiritually obtuse picture. That may be the best barometer of his style and his unwavering vision to depict not simply human suffering but the suffering of all of God's creatures.
This may not be your film. It is a film of beauty. But it is not a beautiful film. I assume Bresson's message is that there is little between animal and man, no line between their sufferings. Many have found themselves moved by the end of Balthazar's journey.
I wanted to be one of them. But I found that Bresson's foray into the human characters distracted from the true tale. The struggle between peace and torment is always one that leads to some transfiguration though it has to be populated with regret, anger, cruelty, and all the lowest forms of neglect.
His Christian themes intend to enlighten about all of God's creations, ones that he does not make for us, but for the entire world. Who are we to be above animals?
This review of Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) was written by Shane R on 12 Oct 2007.
Au Hasard Balthazar has generally received very positive reviews.
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