Michel Hazanavicius, the director behind the Academy Award-winning film "The Artist," now brings us "Godard Mon Amour," a quirky and unconventional love letter to French New Wave filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard. This biographical dramedy stars Michel Hazanavicius himself as Godard and rising star Stacy Martin as his young wife and muse, Anne Wiazemsky.
The story takes place in 1967, with Godard at the height of his fame and influence in the international film community. However, he is also undergoing a personal crisis as his marriage to actress Anna Karina crumbles and he becomes disillusioned with the very industry that has brought him success. Enter Anne, a fresh-faced ingénue who catches Godard's eye on set and quickly becomes his new fixation.
The film sees Godard and Anne navigating both their personal and professional relationship, with Godard's experimental filmmaking style and Marxist politics constantly clashing with Anne's middle-class background and desire for a more traditional life. As their love story unfolds against the backdrop of 1960s Paris, Hazanavicius injects the film with his signature blend of playful humor and meta-commentary on the nature of filmmaking.
Martin shines in her role as Anne, providing a grounded and relatable counterpoint to Godard's eccentricity. Hazanavicius himself is a delight to watch, embodying Godard's swagger and artistically pretentious tendencies with equal measure. The film also boasts a talented supporting cast that includes Louis Garrel as the actor who plays the central character in Godard's latest film, and Bérénice Bejo as a fellow filmmaker and friend of the couple.
One of the film's most intriguing elements is how it portrays Godard's transition from the cool and detached observer of his earlier works to the blisteringly self-aware and self-referential filmmaker he would become later on. As the May 1968 student protests and strikes start to rock Paris, Godard finds himself questioning his own ideals and artistic motivations. Hazanavicius expertly weaves in elements of Godard's actual filmography throughout the film, adding an extra layer of meta-commentary and intertextuality.
While the film's playful tone and charming performances are bound to capture audiences' attention, it is ultimately a thoughtful exploration of the creative process and the challenges of balancing political ideals with personal relationships. "Godard Mon Amour" is a must-see for fans of both Hazanavicius and Godard, as well as anyone with an interest in the history of French cinema.
Michel Hazanavicius and Stacy Martin on GODARD MON AMOUR is a 2018 non-fiction movie with a runtime of 28 minutes.
