A woman is a Woman

This film was by Jean-Luc Godard. It stars his wife in real life Anna. It was Godard's third film, his second to be released. It is done in color and in wide screen.

The films centers around the main character, a woman. You can tell that the camera and Godard love this woman. She is clearly beautiful and the camera accents it perfectly.

There are many references to other films in this movie. (namely Jules and Jim, Shoot the piano player, Breathless and Lola). The biggest reference is when the star of Breathless, who is also in this movie, states "Breathless in on television tonight"!! You from time to time are reminded that this is a film, especially when the main character winks at the camera. In the scene in her boyfriends apartment, when she walks in and walks around he talks directly to the camera. The first words we hear in the film, is Anna saying in english, "lights, camera, action!"

Godard experiments with the fundamental elements of film. He points out again and again that the film is a process. He wants everything in the film to be noticed. The music in this film was different from many others than we have seen. This film was almost an omage to a musical. The music is very dramatic and related to hollywood fims, and is guiding us, telling us what to feel. The music is always very loud, almost too loud. There is no fading in and out of sound. It just starts loud and ends loud. This movie did use direct sound and was dubbed over again during editing.

There seems to be a color scheme in this film. We see alot of blue, white and red. Everything seems very color co-ordinated. He would rather have the colors look artifical than natural. The script of this film was semi-improvised. There are many jump-shots and quick cuts.

This film was very enjoyable. While I hate to see this type of portrayal of a woman, someone who is coniving and willing to lie to get what she wants it was still a great film. I liked how you were reminded that it was a film, and made to feel as though the actors were sometimes talking directly to you.