Everyone knows JLG is a great talent. He has been important for cinema. However, after watching an interview with Godard's cinematographer Raoul Coutard it would be best to describe JLG's films as such 'Jean Luc has made many boring films, very long films, but what makes them worthwhile is his talent to create a moment that is pure artistry that you can never forget despite the rest of his nonsense'. Amen.
JLG has made many films that show much congenial and ingenious creativity, yet then pale away into repetitive, biting, boring and arrogant monologues and conversations. 'Weekend' appalled me for its persistent use of Brechtian devices, and its complete deconstruction of narrative - interesting at first, just plain stupid and irritating after 2 hours of nothing but the same point reiterated. 'Vivre Sa Vie' was exactly the same, parts of pure brilliance outweighed by far too many meaningless and pretentious sequences trying to come across as deep political statements. Sometimes I thought the only person who enjoyed JLG's films was Godard himself. Then I watched 'Le Mepris'.
At first I had heard a lot of criticism about this film. Many dubbed it the same old Godard rubbish, boring, slow, without any real purpose. I stumbled across a trailer in an art cinema in London and without further adue immediately bought a copy.
The story is not that complex. A marriage in slow, yet inexorable dissolution. Yet this time it worked for me. JLG symbolism of the Greek antiquity, Brigitte Bardot looking magnificent, Georges Delerue's haunting score, the beautiful Mediterranean backdrop. It all came together. Yes, its slow. Yes, its full of long conversations. Yes, its not easy to understand. However, this time I can forgive JLG because the beauty of the pictures, the creative sparks that flourish throughout this film made it all worthwhile. There are many layers of meaning; love, marriage, compromise, existence, honesty. Its what I was always waiting for when seeing other Godardian films. Has he ever made a better film? I sincerely doubt it. Though I'm sure many other film directors will produce something ever as strong as this. Its one thing to have talent, but its another thing to utilise it. One needs attitude, application, common sense and above all modesty - something that Godard's other films definitely lacked.
Its depressing stuff. Yet its Godard's most humane, most encaptivating, most charming and above all his best film. Just watch the trailer, then you'll understand what I mean.
JLG has made many films that show much congenial and ingenious creativity, yet then pale away into repetitive, biting, boring and arrogant monologues and conversations. 'Weekend' appalled me for its persistent use of Brechtian devices, and its complete deconstruction of narrative - interesting at first, just plain stupid and irritating after 2 hours of nothing but the same point reiterated. 'Vivre Sa Vie' was exactly the same, parts of pure brilliance outweighed by far too many meaningless and pretentious sequences trying to come across as deep political statements. Sometimes I thought the only person who enjoyed JLG's films was Godard himself. Then I watched 'Le Mepris'.
At first I had heard a lot of criticism about this film. Many dubbed it the same old Godard rubbish, boring, slow, without any real purpose. I stumbled across a trailer in an art cinema in London and without further adue immediately bought a copy.
The story is not that complex. A marriage in slow, yet inexorable dissolution. Yet this time it worked for me. JLG symbolism of the Greek antiquity, Brigitte Bardot looking magnificent, Georges Delerue's haunting score, the beautiful Mediterranean backdrop. It all came together. Yes, its slow. Yes, its full of long conversations. Yes, its not easy to understand. However, this time I can forgive JLG because the beauty of the pictures, the creative sparks that flourish throughout this film made it all worthwhile. There are many layers of meaning; love, marriage, compromise, existence, honesty. Its what I was always waiting for when seeing other Godardian films. Has he ever made a better film? I sincerely doubt it. Though I'm sure many other film directors will produce something ever as strong as this. Its one thing to have talent, but its another thing to utilise it. One needs attitude, application, common sense and above all modesty - something that Godard's other films definitely lacked.
Its depressing stuff. Yet its Godard's most humane, most encaptivating, most charming and above all his best film. Just watch the trailer, then you'll understand what I mean.