Watch All the Boys Are Called Patrick

All the Boys Are Called Patrick is a French short film from 1959, directed by Jean-Luc Godard. The film stars Jean-Claude Brialy and Anne Collette in the lead roles, with Nicole Berger in a supporting role. The plot of the movie centers around three young women who share a small apartment in Paris. They are all named Patricia, but they go by nicknames to differentiate themselves: one is called Patricia, the second is called Sylvie, and the third is called Jeanne. As they go about their daily lives, they become increasingly obsessed with a handsome young man named Patrick (played by Brialy), who they see in a café one day.

The three women quickly concoct a plan to seduce Patrick. They decide that one of them should pretend to be a rich American and invite him over to her apartment. They draw straws, and the unlucky Sylvie is chosen to play the role of the rich American. Meanwhile, Patricia and Jeanne help Sylvie to create a glamorous persona, complete with a fake American accent and a fancy outfit.

When Patrick arrives at the apartment, Sylvie greets him in character and the two begin to flirt. But things quickly become chaotic as Patricia and Jeanne try to set the mood by playing music and turning the lights down low. Eventually, the three women all end up competing for Patrick's attention, even as he becomes increasingly confused and disoriented.

All the Boys Are Called Patrick is a lighthearted, whimsical film that is full of youthful energy and charm. It showcases Godard's early talent for storytelling and his gift for capturing the playful innocence and recklessness of youth. The film is beautifully shot in black and white, with a distinctively French aesthetic that would become a hallmark of Godard's later work.

One of the most striking things about All the Boys Are Called Patrick is its playfulness with gender and identity. The women in the film are all named Patricia, blurring the lines between them and emphasizing their shared humanity. Likewise, Sylvie's role as the fake American invites questions about what it means to perform a cultural identity, and how these performances can shape our perceptions of ourselves and others.

The film is also notable for its use of music. The soundtrack features a number of delightful French songs, including "Les Enfants Terribles" by Jean-Pierre Melville and "J'aime les Filles" by Jacques Dutronc. The music serves to underscore the playful, carefree mood of the film, inviting us to share in the characters' joie de vivre.

Overall, All the Boys Are Called Patrick is a charming, whimsical film that captures something essential about the spirit of youth. It is a brief but delightful snapshot of a particular moment in time, capturing the energy and excitement of youth in postwar France. Fans of Godard's later work will enjoy seeing the early seeds of his unique style and vision, while those new to his work will find this film to be a perfect introduction to his oeuvre.