Two in the Wave (Deux de la Vague) reviews
Review by on 25 Sep 2010
TWO IN THE WAVE is a who’s who of the male-dominated world of French cinema during the explosion of ideas known as the nouvelle vague. It charts the inception of the movement from the offices of Cahiers du Cinema where Godard and Truffaut began their careers as film critics, through to the souring of fraternal love between the two. Rivette, Chabrol, Hitchcock and Bergman all receive nods ensuring that this documentary will at least become a must for film students.
When either director appears in the flesh the audience is treated to enigmatic kernels of wisdom. Alas, these moments are too few and far between and the bulk of information is delivered through voiceover, stills and a curious pregnant French woman whose presence I could not decipher. There are fascinating elements to this history, particularly at the moment when Truffaut elects to pursue pure art and Godard embraces political activism, the point over which the pair irreparably fall out. Without the direct input of either man (Truffaut being dead, Godard uninvolved), I suppose there’s a limit to what can be assessed. This is really a cine-essay that carefully pieces together compelling evidence, but fails to shed new light on either individual.
Watching the history of modern French masterworks unfold is inspiring, and the passion with which contributors speak about film is infectious. The beauty of this film is in the strong desire it creates to revisit all that the French New Wave still has to offer.
Sarah Chorley
When either director appears in the flesh the audience is treated to enigmatic kernels of wisdom. Alas, these moments are too few and far between and the bulk of information is delivered through voiceover, stills and a curious pregnant French woman whose presence I could not decipher. There are fascinating elements to this history, particularly at the moment when Truffaut elects to pursue pure art and Godard embraces political activism, the point over which the pair irreparably fall out. Without the direct input of either man (Truffaut being dead, Godard uninvolved), I suppose there’s a limit to what can be assessed. This is really a cine-essay that carefully pieces together compelling evidence, but fails to shed new light on either individual.
Watching the history of modern French masterworks unfold is inspiring, and the passion with which contributors speak about film is infectious. The beauty of this film is in the strong desire it creates to revisit all that the French New Wave still has to offer.
Sarah Chorley
Review by on 22 Sep 2010
I thought this documentary on Godard, Truffaut and the New Wave was very good. Well structured and informative.
Film details
Two in the Wave (Deux de la Vague)
DOCUMENTARIES
Director: Emmanuel Laurent
France, 2010.
91 mins. with English subtitles.
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