Friday, April 15, 2011

The Devil, Probably (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)
The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

Genre: Drama
Director: Robert Bresson
Starring: Antoine Monnier, Tina Irissari, Henri de Maublanc, Laetitia Carcano
Duration: 95 min.
Rating: 7.7/10

Summary:
Charles is a student who has dabbled in political action and investigated the claims of religion but ultimately finds nothing that changes the overwhelming malaise he feels.  In order to avoid the mortal sin of suicide, he pays a drug-addict to shoot him.


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The Devil, Probably the twelfth film by Robert Bresson the master of the minimal, the bleak, and the melancholy; premiered at the 27th Berlin Film Festival where it was awarded the Silver Bear by the Jury.  It is a drama told in a similar fashion to his earlier film A Gentle Woman, by revealing the death of the main character, and then going back to an earlier point in time to tell the story.

This one tells of a frustrated and aimless youth in a state of disaffected malaise with the modern world.  Though it was made over 30 years ago, the issues dealt with are still remarkably relevant today.  Topics such as pollution, global warming, the dangers of nuclear energy, and the erosion of society.  Much of which, is shown with unflinching documentary style footage.  Those affected by scenes of cruelty to animals be warned.

Bresson's talent for crafting a masterful sequence is evident during a brilliant scene aboard a city bus.  As Charles and his friend argue about the uselessness of government, random passengers suddenly interject with their opinions, and then just as the bus driver is about to have his say, he causes an accident.  Into what isn't revealed nor is it important, as the camera remains stationary aboard the bus and pointed at the doors for several seconds, while only the sounds of the aftermath can be heard.   

As is the case with most of his work, this one is filled with symbolism and doesn't directly pull on the audience's strings, but instead makes one think and reflect on the images shown.  For some it is a profound experience, for others a dull bore, but never just a simple distraction.

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

The Devil, Probably / Le diable probablement (1977)

2 comments:

Adalmin said...

I'm usually not very fond of these "disillusioned young man" stories, but it looks like this avoids being too self-absorbed by focusing more on the symbolism rather than the, uh, whining.

Mette said...

Looks (and sounds) interesting.

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