If not its best.
The film effectively captures a moment in French history when a great divide existed between the youth of the 70s and 80s, and their parents, who belonged to the 50s era. Pialat illustrates the shallow existence of a young, lost teenager who searches for love in all the wrong places. Yet, the film's most significant strength lies in its portrayal of the complete misunderstanding between two generations, separated by the 1968 revolution in France.
No other film from that period has brilliantly depicted the struggles of a dysfunctional family, where parents who experienced the sexual revolution were emotionally disconnected from their children, often resorting to force and vulgar language out of frustration. Many viewers have highlighted the dinner scene, including Pialat's monologue, which references Van Gogh, as a standout moment in the film. This scene critiques the intelligentsia of the art world, specifically cinema journalism and cultured individuals from a specific era.
This film is a beautiful meditation on ethics, love, and finding one's purpose in life. The final scene on the bus is one of the most poignant moments ever committed to film and serves as a powerful summary of the film's themes.
Critics who claim that the film could not be made by today's standards would do well to consider the quote attributed to Van Gogh: "there will always be sadness."
The film effectively captures a moment in French history when a great divide existed between the youth of the 70s and 80s, and their parents, who belonged to the 50s era. Pialat illustrates the shallow existence of a young, lost teenager who searches for love in all the wrong places. Yet, the film's most significant strength lies in its portrayal of the complete misunderstanding between two generations, separated by the 1968 revolution in France.
No other film from that period has brilliantly depicted the struggles of a dysfunctional family, where parents who experienced the sexual revolution were emotionally disconnected from their children, often resorting to force and vulgar language out of frustration. Many viewers have highlighted the dinner scene, including Pialat's monologue, which references Van Gogh, as a standout moment in the film. This scene critiques the intelligentsia of the art world, specifically cinema journalism and cultured individuals from a specific era.
This film is a beautiful meditation on ethics, love, and finding one's purpose in life. The final scene on the bus is one of the most poignant moments ever committed to film and serves as a powerful summary of the film's themes.
Critics who claim that the film could not be made by today's standards would do well to consider the quote attributed to Van Gogh: "there will always be sadness."