This is an important film to watch. It’s important for multiple reasons, and not the least of all being Truffaut’s awe-inspiring camera work. It may be in black and white, but these shots have color and life in them all the same. You can almost feel the atmosphere throughout the film. Every environment has a subtle way of creeping into your subconscious and right now as I’m writing this I am paying back shots in my head which are silently beautiful and emotional. Technically the film is literally flawless.

The other major aspect which stands out as notable has to be the acting. How Truffaut got such fantastic work from a cast composed mainly of children is something directors should strive for. Their line deliverance shocked me on many occasions throughout the 100 minutes. They have a presence on screen which is practically never felt by actors of their age, and Jean-Pierre Leaud outshines everyone else in the movie. His performance brought life to the screen.

The story itself is a bold and sometimes shocking portrayal of a child who has been raised extremely poorly and as a result begins to act out. You are brought along with him as he makes bad decisions creating more and more problems for himself. And yet, you always have a reason to feel sorry for him because he is really a product of his environment. Truffaut masterfully reveals more about this boys’ past as the story progresses until you are left with a complete view of his faults and his unfortunate upbringing, and ultimately, how those two correlate.

Like I said, this is an important film to see because of the masterful way Truffaut portrays this powerful story.