As if the very broken, uncertain reality of the picture weren't enough, the repetition of shots and scenes and pointedly disjointed sequencing only increase the difficulty of the viewing experience. A complete story is told more or less, but cohesiveness and coherence are variable, and purposefully so. Substantial mystery, with dashes of the supernatural and erotic scattered throughout, is considerably deepened with a guiding ethos for both film-making and storytelling that I can only describe as avant-garde. Comparisons come to mind in one capacity or another, including the works of David Lynch and in some measure Terry Gilliam, but with material such as this comparisons don't mean much after a certain point. I can earnestly say that I enjoyed watching 'La belle captive,' and I think it's worth watching on its own merits in every regard. I also readily admit that if asked I couldn't possibly give a meaningful summary. Mark this without question as a title that will appeal only to those keen on all the wide, weird possibilities of what cinema has to offer.
Whatever one is able to make of the narrative, such as it is, it's fascinating in and of itself and definitely in its abstruseness. All those characteristics that make the experience trying from the very start - some may reasonably say "inscrutable" - are great fun to tease apart, if we can, and one way or another the feature is filled with terrific ideas; say what one will of the plot, the scene writing is outstanding in its robust flavors. Fine a credit as this is for Alain Robbe-Grillet as both director and especially writer, editor Bob Wade had his work cut out for him to assemble the film into a very particular shape, and he did a fantastic job, and much the same can be said for the sound department. The production design and art direction are truly superb, giving the movie an imaginative look and feel, and the hair, makeup, and costume design are just as excellent as those stunts and effects that are employed. 'La belle captive' is a wild, bizarre ride, but it's very well done across the board, quality that makes the picture as easy to digest as it feasibly could be.
It's very much a piece for a niche audience, and I would begrudge no one who engages honestly with it and dislikes it. I had a good time watching but I won't pretend to have a complete grasp of what Robbe-Grillet was intending. Even at that, the medium is perfect for taking viewers on a strange journey, and sometimes that's all a title needs to be to entertain and satisfy. Whether or not one can glean anything greater from 'La belle captive' it remains a splendid curiosity for those able and willing to abide the eccentricity, and a fine way to spend ninety minutes - so long as one bears in mind that it requires active engagement.
