Tuesday, January 22, 2019

581 - Zazie dans le Metro, France, 1960. Dir. Louis Malle.

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

581 - Zazie dans le Metro, France, 1960.  Dir. Louis Malle.

Zazie is in a reverie within a dream.

It looks like the French New Wave (Nouvelle Vague) has collided with The Little Rascals by way of Looney Tunes, with a little Jacques Tati thrown in for good measure.  With Charlie Chaplin watching and cheering them on.

Zazie is zany.  She is a 10-year old girl who has come to Paris to stay with her Uncle Gabriel for a couple days while her mother gallivants around with her new squeeze.

Zazie is more than Uncle Gabriel can handle.  As well as all the other people who attempt to chase her through the streets of Paris.  Since she is not actually in the Metro.  Since it is closed due to a strike.

Zazie says the silliest things.

The bird knows.  "Yakety yak, yakety yak; all you do is yak," says the bird.

Sometimes what she says is a bit naughty.  And rude to adults.

Who keep stumbling and tumbling and bumbling as they try to chase her.

In this colorful, cheerful, joyful movie filled with special effects.  Including jump cuts in a film released the same year as Breathless.

Only this film is not without breath.

It is a breath of fresh air.



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