Review of Jules and Jim (1962) by Harpreet S — 04 Sep 2012

I confess I was clearly mistaken when I thought François Truffaut's "Jules and Jim" was only an adequate picture when I saw it three or four years ago, revisiting it has made me realize it is one of the greatest films of the 1960s.

Briefly, the film concerns two best friends named Jules (Oskar Werner) and Jim (Henri Serre) and a love triangle involving Catherine (Jeanne Moreau). From the ones I've seen, Truffaut has made two great films, the other being "The 400 Blows.

" This film might be as innovative in its visual and narrative structure as Jean-Luc Godard's "Breathless," both employing the great cinematographer Raoul Coutard. The camera is all over the place, along with the use of newsreel footage, freeze frames, jump cuts, and many more that I can't name; all you can do is absorb as much as you can while being in awe.

Several times it has the look of a silent film. One of my favorite sequences is of the "steam engine," which is created with a cigarette and another one involving Moreau singing. I don't think the film would be as great if it was told in a simplistic and straightforward manner.

Really, one of the greatest love stories, it's extremely well written, acted, with plenty of poetic lines, which reminded me of what cinema is all about. Does it sustain its peak level throughout? No, but largely it is one of the most original and splendid works you'll ever see from a director.

Giving it another watch would do well in fully grasping and appreciating the complexities of the relationship between the three major characters.