Review of Stolen Kisses (1968) by Michael O — 25 Jul 2008

Charming follow-up to Quatre Cent Coups. Much more whimsical and less heavy-handed. We are reunited with Antoine nine years after his introduction, now an adult, but still as oblivious to the world. His youthful idealism gets him discharged from the army (he is told by his lieutenant to stick to tie-peddling).

He doesn't fair better in the work force either-- hotel jobs, detective agencies, shoe stores, pest control-- his naivite always seems to get the best of him. He goes back to his old girlfriend, Christine, and tries to win her back but without success.

Jean Pierre Leaud is the film. He is awkward, sensitive, clumsy, and a real moron, but somhow he makes Antoine loveable-- imagine a Parisian Hugh Grant. Truffaut's directorial style has changed drastically from his first feature.

Stolen Kisses looks much more refined while the tone is much more upbeat as reflected greatly by the screenplay. His subsequent follow-up's starting with Love at 20, may have ruptured the myth and ambiguity of the first film but that's life, people do change.