Review of Godard's Vivre sa Vie

This is one of Godard's best films. It was made during, perhaps, his best period of making films. Of course there is Breathless, but there is also Contempt, Weekend, La Chinoise, A Woman is a Woman, and this film which is flawless.

I couldn't stop looking at Anna Karina. She is so pretty in this film. Especially the dance scene. I have watched it numerous times on youtube. It is improvosational and spontaneous but not completely out of place in the film. It sets up the viewer for the tragic ending of the film. The dance scene lures you in, makes you fall in love with Nana only to have your heart broken when she is sold to another gangster and killed in the trade, left for dead in the street. Film is manipulation and this film is no exception. It shows how good the writing was for Vivre sa vie, yet that is not the only good thing about this film.

The sequence where Anna Karina is not shown from the front is very unique. Godard could have framed the shot with her facing the camera. Yet he doesn't show her face for several minutes during a conversation where she is breaking up with her boyfriend. Several other shots are innovative as well. When Anna and the pimp are talking the camera remains horizontal. There is no over the shoulder or shot reverse shot. The camera remains steady and goes back and forth between their heads. At one point, which I thought was really good, the camera shows only Anna and her pimp's faces. Talking, looking at each other, until Anna breaks away and smirks

The other shots of Karina are excellent too. She is so alluring and seductive. I could see why Godard was so in love with her. This is the third or fourth time I've seen the film and it is just as entertaining as the first time. As I keep reading Richard Brody's book about Godard, his films become more comprehendable as they reflect his personal life and influences.

There is one scene where Anna and a famous philosopher engage in deep conversation. I tried my best to understand what they were talking about. Perhaps it was a reflection on the theory of film by Godard. Godard was an existentialist at this time, so much of what is said reveals his ideas about existentialism. I was particularly taken with Anna's talk about the meaning of words; do they mean anything? How it becomes hard to use the right words at times. I have recently committed myself to moving away from existentialist philosophy which I have come into contact with so many times over the past few years. I'm trying to get more into structuralism and post-structuralism. Maybe it will lead to some new ideas for a screenplay or film? Anyway it's better than going over Jean Paul Sartre again.