Watch Pierrot le fou
- NR
- 1965
- 1 hr 50 min
-
7.4 (37,604)
Pierrot le fou is a French New Wave film directed by Jean-Luc Godard, released in 1965. The movie stars Jean-Paul Belmondo and Anna Karina in the leading roles of Ferdinand and Marianne, respectively. The film is centered around the character of Ferdinand, who is portrayed as a disillusioned man, tired of living within societal norms. When Marianne, his former lover, comes back into his life, he decides to join her on an adventure of escaping the monotony of everyday living. Despite being warned by a shady businessman, Ferdinand decides to help Marianne escape to a life in the sun, and they embark on a journey with little direction along the beautiful French Mediterranean coast.
The movie incorporates themes of romance, freedom, and the bohemian lifestyle. The characters travel from town to town, staying in shady motels, running from the law, and living life on the edge. They indulge in an unusual attraction towards each other which leads to a trail of destruction in their path.
One of the most striking things about Pierrot Le Fou is how it visualizes each scene. The cast is dressed in colorful clothing that stand out against the sea and landscapes that change in color from yellow to blue, and green to red. Godard and his cinematographer Raoul Coutard craft mesmerizing images, such as one with a body in a car trunk, swimming naked, or singing in a more traditional apartment. The camera captures each memory from multiple angles, allowing the viewer to get a sense of the emotion in each acting.
Along the journey, there are several moments of tension where Ferdinand and Marianne come close to danger. There is also an underlying conspiracy theory, with criminal gangs chasing the pair, which adds an additional layer to the story.
Pierrot le Fou offers viewers an escape from reality in 110 minutes. In contrast to reality, the characters seem able to live a life devoid of all societal norms, making the movie seem like one long dream. The characters' dialogue falls somewhere between improvisation and a precisely planned scenario, which makes it feel raw and unique.
Finally, Pierrot Le Fou's soundtrack is an essential part of the film. Godard selected a series of songs that enhance the scenes' themes, depicting a whole range of emotions from love and sadness to happiness and lightheartedness.
In summary, Pierrot Le Fou is an excellent movie from the French New Wave with a touch of an existentialist attitude, tightly choreographed and executed precise direction, and extraordinary acting. This film is a perfect representation of the 1960s, and an excellent choice for those who want a taste of French cinema at its best.
Pierrot le fou is a 1965 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.