Review of Jules and Jim (1962) by M M — 15 Aug 2009

I so much dreaded this movie - thought it would be grossly overrated and highly tedious. But none of this holds true. Even though nothing much happens in it, it manages to keep the viewer captivated right till the end and in every single scene.

Truffaut must indeed be a talented director. In the early sixties, it must have been quite unusual to set a movie in the early decades of the 20th century, but Truffaut did it, and made a very successful job of it.

He also uses some special film techniques that add to the quality (filming from unusual angles, use of historical material (WWI), a matter-of-fact, but also slightly ironic voiceover, etc.). Briefly, it is a movie that just works for whoever is watching it.