Masculin féminin (1966)

 

 

A romance between young Parisians, shown through a series of vignettes.

Quirky, witty, meandering analysis of young relationships may appear fleeting at first sight, but is fascinating to watch and reveals much more under its surface; and, alone Jean-Pierre Léaud is worth the admission fee.

Halliwell**: "An exploration of pop culture and politics, in a sequence of episodes intercut with arbitrary happenings, and as much concerned with form as content, moving cinema away from straightforward narrative to something more abstract and less interesting."

Maltin***: "Engaging, original concoction mixes politics, sex, comedy, nostalgia with standard boy-meets-girl theme." 

 

 

Le départ (1967)

A fast-paced comedy about a young Belgian car nut and hairdresser's apprentice, his girlfriend, and their legal and illegal attempts to get a Porsche under him for his nearing debut race.

Wildly exuberant, absurd, funny as well as silly and at times Nouvelle Vague-style comedy is fast-based, but at times quite enervating; of course,  Jean-Pierre Léaud is, as always, a joy to watch.