Review of Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) by Justin S — 18 Jul 2007

I don't consider myself a big Bresson fan, but I love this movie. The most emotionally devastating thing I've seen in a long time. The difference for me between this and Pickpocket or Diary of a Country Priest is that Bresson can only direct a donkey so much.

That is, the most human performance comes from the animal in the film, and we get this performance only because of Bresson's inability to control it. BUT the way Bresson shoots Balthazar and edits the picture makes me think that he's aware of this, and makes me want to go back and see the other films again.

I'm just thankful it wasn't another maddeningly austere and prudish Bresson film.