Jules and Jim

4/23/19621h 46m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ A Hymn to Life and Love ~

Overview:

In the carefree days before World War I, introverted Austrian author Jules strikes up a friendship with the exuberant Frenchman Jim and both men fall for the impulsive and beautiful Catherine.

Director:

François Truffaut

Status:

Released

Language:

French

Buget:

$0.00

Revenue:

$0.00

Key words:

adultery
friendship
prostitute
jealousy
paris, france
based on novel or book
love triangle
musician
marriage
love
polyamory
austrian
1910s
nouvelle vague

Cast

Henri Serre

~ as ~

Jim

Oskar Werner

~ as ~

Jules

Jeanne Moreau

~ as ~

Catherine

Marie Dubois

~ as ~

Thérèse

Sabine Haudepin

~ as ~

Sabine

Vanna Urbino

~ as ~

Gilberte

Serge Rezvani

~ as ~

Albert

Anny Nelsen

~ as ~

Lucie

Michel Subor

~ as ~

Récitant / Narrator (voix)

Danielle Bassiak

~ as ~

Albert's Companion

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 11 month(s) ago
7
Jeanne Moreau is superb here with her portrayal of "Catherine", a rather selfish and erratic woman who manipulates two men - "Julius/Jules" (Oskar Werner) and "Jim" (Henri Serre). Sometimes married to one, but in love with them both - or with neither, or maybe even not with herself - Truffaut juggles these three balls terrifically well. The pace changes frequently - hectic then glacial; the dialogue is sparing - especially from "Jim", and the style of the film evolves effortlessly with a narrative that starts before WWI and continues long after. The photography is frequently intimate and potent and we are invited to follow these flawed individuals as they age pretty gracelessly trying to find some solution to their predicament - who gets the girl; who does the girl want; what does the girl want? As ever with this director, there is humour and glamour - and if you get an opportunity, try and see it on a big screen to immerse yourself in the detail of this quality production. It sags a little in the third quarter and I have to say that I didn't much like any of their characters - but otherwise an entertaining look at life when the norms don't apply - and well worth a watch.