Review of Jules and Jim (1962) by Steven T — 10 Nov 2008
This is such a beautifully, joyfully inspired film directed by the brilliant and amazing director, Francois Truffaut. Many people list this as one of the best films ever created, and I must agree. Next to "Raging Bull," my all time favorite, and his own "400 Blows" and "Day for Night," this film is just a joy to see.
The direction is fresh, as well as the editing and the writing. And talk about an amazing score. I don't know how Francois Truffaut finds his composers, but they always bring so much emotion into their pictures.
To explain the story of this film, is to bleed this picture dry; you really just have to watch it and savor it. It starts out exploring the friend relationship between Jules and Jim, two friends from different countries who find themselves interested in each other's cultures as well as each other.
They are in a way, lovers, if not best friends. Then they meet Catherine; a temptress who falls in love with them and makes them fall in love with her. I am usually not a person who likes to watch movies about affairs or such, but this is so much different.
Everyone knows something is going on and allow this to make Catherine happy. This, to me, is a strange yet fascinating story as well as a fresh perspective on a love triangle. It strangely reminded me of Vicky Cristina Barcelona in which the characters could not love each other without each other.
As usual, I talk about the performances, but for me, the direction is what really makes this film. The actors are fresh and sympathetic, especially Jeanne Moreau and Oskar Werner, but Francois Truffaut is a true auteur who helped invent the French New Wave.
His smoothly, fluid camera movements and cuts within movement are what keep this movie energetic and at the same time child-like. Each character is sympathetic in the idea that they never really grow up, especially Jeanna Moreau's character.
I highly recommend this film. One qualm, though, that I had with this film is the ending. Watch it and let me know what you think.
This review of Jules and Jim (1962) was written by Steven T on 10 Nov 2008.
Jules and Jim has generally received very positive reviews.
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