Jouke

A very clever movie, with loads of references to nouvelle vague stuff. This film lets you wonder about the effects of cinema on society, as the villagers turn into their filmheroes, but since they are edited backwards, upside down and in the wrong order, the imitated heroes become quite hillarious. Some of the characters are very interesting, especially the local film critic. Agresti hates critics, and this can be found in the interaction between the critic and the B-actor/hero, a tragic drunkard, who visits the village one day. Loads of sub-themes make this movie very lively, although some of them are not that interesting. The criticism of the argentine dictature and the introduction of television are not that great.

All goes wrong however when the infamous actor actually enters the village. One of the important points in the movie is the complete isolation of the Patgonian village, but since the actor arrives by train this fantastic concept falls totally apart. Worth a try though, or, in the spirit of the film: try a worth.

This is absolutely my favourite Truffaut film. Being a film which is based on real events in Truffaut's life (like most of his films), this film shows who Truffaut liked to be (looked at). The charismatic Jean-Pierre Léaud completes this image perfectly. The wonderful soundtrack makes it even better.

Some might say that this film is less revolutionary than his nouvelle vague stuff, but this film is much more effective and up-to-date. It is the funniest and most interesting part of the Doinel-series, which, sadly, had to be finished with the worthless L'amour en fuite.

Watching this film makes you understand what Truffaut thinks about himself, and the 'family-business'of movie making. Watching this film combined with La nuit Américaine, and you'll know what Truffaut really is about. This film steals more than your kisses. It might steal you heart.