With my love for Francois Truffaut growing, I was remiss to know that I had inadvertently skipped over one of his more beloved films "Jules and Jim." Naturally, I strive to correct such errors. After finally watching it, I can't help but say that "Jules and Jim" is rather schizophrenic; a tale of two halves. The film essentially details a love triangle consisting of two best friends (Jules and Jim) as they become entranced by a woman (Catherine) in pre World War I France. The first half of the film follows Jules, Jim, and Catherine as they get to know one another in what is almost a whimsical, bohemian, and frantic pace, one that is reminiscent of what can be seen in the terrific "Amelie." Eventually, Jules becomes quite attached to the mesmerizing Catherine ( who is played by the beautiful Jeanne Moreau) and asks her hand in marriage. Initially the marriage is bliss for the two, but bliss is rather short as World War I starts. Jules ( an Austrian) and Jim ( a french man) are sent to the frontlines to seemingly fight one another, with each one praying they haven't killed one another at the end of the day.
In the more dramatic second half, once discharged, Jules and Jim finally reconnect without an issue, but it is Catherine who has changed, as she exposes her true self as a free spirit who loves a man one moment, but seemingly loses interest the next. This lack of stability in love leads Catherine to seduce Jim, even when in the presence of Jules. To no surprise this creates an initial conflict and despair between Jules and Jim, but their friendship surpasses it in a way that many would deem unrealistic, but one that I would say is quite profound as jealousy isn't emitted from both men. Needless to say, both men suffer to a degree as Catherine's indecisiveness forces her from man to man throughout the film, testing the patience and emotions of both men, but never does their friendship completely fall apart. Regardless of what Catherine does, Jules knows Jim will act in the best interest of Jules and vise versa. This sentiment is what the film is all about: the importance and power of friendship and I must admit, Truffaut captures this quite nicely in a way that is more subtle than it is blatant.
As for Truffaut, more specifically as a director, is terrific behind the camera ( to no surprise), as he moves the camera in such an entrancing way. Whether its capturing a run down an overpass or capturing a simple game between the characters, the shots are often vivid and romantic ( and not just in the name of love). When coupled with a fantastic score by Georges Delerue (which features a beautiful song "Le Tourbillion" that captures the love triangle perfectly), Truffaut has a film that is full of life and captures the many complications and positive moments human connections can have. Yet, the fault that I did find in "Jules and Jim" was more attributed to two scenes in the end that just seemed forced and far too brisk for any real distraught to be brought out of the viewer. Granted, to a degree, they were tragically beautiful, but actions that transpire seem too far off the path. Nothing about them seemed organic and in many ways just left me rolling my eyes. But, these faults of Truffaut and company don't destroy the film and instead of having a masterpiece, we merely have a great film, but this is something I can live with.
P.S. Here is the aformentioned song "Le Tourbillion" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqwLx0DG7qQ
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