Review of Godard's Every Man for Himself

Personally I thought this movie was awful. I just didn't see anything that approached Godard's work from the past. It lacks seriousness. It lacks anything that could be considered cinematic art. The scenes with the businessmen and the prostitutes made me cringe, and not for suspense.I guess the only redeeming part of the film was the slow motion sequences. Even those were short and not that great. So he slowed it down? What else?

The narrative was sorely lacking too. There isn't much of a story. Not that I'm so doctrinaire about there being a story, but most it degnerates into some kind of macho expression of male anger that gets tired all too quickly. The guy has a girlfriend, an ex wife, and a young daughter. Which brings up another detestable quality of the film, the father's perverted interest in his daughter. I suppose Godard is following on Nabakov and Lolita, but it just comes across as creepy and pervy. The whole movie comes across as creepy and pervy.

I wish I had rented the film instead of bought it. Hail Mary is much better. I guess the film is similar to Vivre sa vie, but it lacks the elegance and character of that film. I can't find much good in the film.