I saw this film at a museum screening many years ago and I remember it fairly well (although I can’t remember how it ends). He’s an undertaker, isn’t he? All the candles in the room, and their flickering light. It’s a film that moves at a very relaxed pace, but it’s also quietly disturbing. A mature work from a director who had become a consummate artist. I’d like to see it again.
It’s one of my favorites too. Especially poignant now that Truffaut himself has gone.
Interesting to hear your thoughts, guys. As you say, Justin, it does move at a very relaxed pace, and for Truffaut this is an unusually static film. He works for a newspaper (writing obituaries etc.), although I can see why you might remember him as an undertaker. His job just fuels his obsession with departed loved ones. Some might read a comment on Truffaut’s broken-down relationship with Godard into this film, but regardless on where you stand on that it is a deeply personal film that shows a brooding, concerned Truffaut as far away from the (mostly) sunny streets of Pocket Money as you could probably get.
And David, as you say it is poignant in that sense too, as it only preceded Truffaut’s own death by 5 / 6 years.
Definitely worth revisiting, or seeking out for a first time for those who’ve never seen this somewhat off-the-radar gem.
I taught this film in a class last year, introducing it to a whole new crop of people. It is a visual wonder and was received quite well.
Never seen this one. I wonder how on earth it slipped by me!
This was the first Truffaut movie I watched and I too like it very much.
Dazza
This is probably one of my favourite Truffauts, but I can’t remember ever having a conversation with anyone who’s seen it. It’s very downbeat, but brings Truffaut’s love of Henry James home in a most effective way. I think Truffaut himself is terrific in the lead role of this very dark and moving tale of obsession (he’s great in The Wild Child, too), and a young Nathalie Baye provides an excellent screen companion for him.
I know many are indifferent towards it, but I think it’s just such a tense, personal film from the director. It might veer into melodrama towards the end, but it still stays with me for a long time after viewing. It’s been perhaps one of the trickiest Truffauts to find, but the MGM R2 is quite a nice disc.
Thoughts?