Movie #299 A Woman is a Woman *1961*

Godard's 2nd feature film is a lot of fun.  He broke all the rules with Breathless.  Here he is laughing at the rules he just shattered.  It would be easy to call this film indulgent.  I have read a few reviews that was satisfied to do just that.  However I found this movie to be a romp and I had a lot of fun with it.

A Woman is a Woman is French New Wave turned up to 11!  If you want an example of the FNW look no further.  When people think of classic black and white artsy movies that usually go to Fellini's 8 1/2.  When they want existential artsy films they pick Bergman's The Seventh Seal.  A Woman is a Woman should be the poster boy for the FNW.  It's jump cuts, breaking of the 4th wall, its sense of self awareness, its playing with musical troupes, its camera movements all embody the traditional FNW ascetic.   

The film stars the lovely Anna Karina in the lead role.  She wants a baby.  Her lover, Jean-Claude Brialy, doesn't want to give her one.  His friend, Jean-Paul Belmondo (from Breathless), is willing to provide her that.  It has a love triangle unlike any movie I have ever seen.

My final comment is about the use of color in this movie.  It wasn't as bold as Pierrot le Fou, but it it clearly a stepping stone for that film.  I love the color, I love Anna Karina and I really enjoyed this moive.  I give A Woman is a Woman ****.