Somewhat contrived and conventional yet always entertaining and noteworthy, Francois Truffaut's The Last Metro is one of those great period pieces that transports you to a particular era so beautifully that after awhile you lose the thought of watching a film and feel as if you are inhabiting this world with the characters. This is thanks in no small part to Truffaut, who directs with beautiful restraint, but also to his two lead actors who happen to be two of the most accomplished in French history. Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve have tremendous chemistry together but also create two sympathetic and interesting characters who together and separately have specific reasons for acting the way they do, which is not always apparent to the audience.
Like any great director, Truffaut unfolds this story slowly and paces it well enough that we understand the gist of what he is trying to say without bludgeoning us over the head with his message. Clearly, the message has to do with the importance of art and how it is able to transform and prolong our happiness and understanding in times of great trouble. Using such a well-known period like World War II can be troublesome, but Truffaut underplays the Nazi element of the story, utilizing it more as a backdrop than a necessary part of the film. In short, this is a very entertaining and worthwhile film that celebrates art, particularly the positive effects it is capable of, which I'm sure we all would love to see more of.
Like any great director, Truffaut unfolds this story slowly and paces it well enough that we understand the gist of what he is trying to say without bludgeoning us over the head with his message. Clearly, the message has to do with the importance of art and how it is able to transform and prolong our happiness and understanding in times of great trouble. Using such a well-known period like World War II can be troublesome, but Truffaut underplays the Nazi element of the story, utilizing it more as a backdrop than a necessary part of the film. In short, this is a very entertaining and worthwhile film that celebrates art, particularly the positive effects it is capable of, which I'm sure we all would love to see more of.