The 400 Blows (1959)

“The French masterpiece of adolescence in the 1950s.”

We all think that movies and television programs today are trying the poison our youth, but it’s been going on for more than three decades.

The 400 Blows is the feature length directorial debut of French New Wave director Francois Truffaut. It follows the young developing life of 14 year old Antoine Doinel, a troublemaker seen through the eyes of his teachers and parents. He commits petty theft, runs away from home, and unsuccessfully tries to attempt to achieve academic success and win his parents’ trust.

The film was a pioneer of the French New Wave movement, where existentialism themes were brought in and the rejection of classical cinematic forms took place. It’s also considered the defining film of the movement. It explored the young encounters of a boy whose own conscience was doing the right thing and just living life.

Truffaut achieves his directing in this film. He perfects a well narrated story influenced by the old classic Hollywood and the realism of Italian cinema. His skill of unfolding the narrative is relevant to the unfolding of Antoine’s struggle to be good.

The irony of Antoine’s struggle to be good is that he can’t be good. Nature didn’t make him that way; he was raised and taught to rebel.

I really liked this movie, but weirdly enough, I was waiting for it to end. Not that it bored me, but to me, maybe it was taking its sweet ass time to wrap up its conflicts. I also find it amusing, that earlier I was watching the UK series Skins and thinking how much affect it has on teens, but then watching this, I wonder if this movie had the same effect on teens the same way Skins has the same effect on teens today. It’s interesting to think that Antoine is somewhat an ancestor, precursor, or prototype to the kids of Skins.

The 400 Blows is a French masterpiece and carries out all the perks of being a teenager, backed up by well direction from Truffaut. I give it a classic 5 out of 5 stars.

The King's Speech (2010)

“God save the king.”

Royal families are always perfect…well almost always. Prince Harry wore a swastika, Prince Charles had a much speculated divorce, followed by his ex-wife’s, Princess Diana, untimely death. And King George VI “bloody well stammered”.

The King’s Speech is a 2010 drama film based on the true story of King George VI. The story follows George VI (played by Colin Firth) , who was then a Duke of York, as he tries to cure his stutter in time for when he inherits the throne. His wife Elizabeth, played by Helena Bonham Carter, then hires Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush, to help him.

The film was a historically accurate portrayal of the King’s later life, just until he inherited the throne. One thing I fully realized when watching this film was that the film’s title doesn’t necessarily refer an actual document used to persuade its listeners, but instead it referred to the human communication. I found it amusing and appealing about this revelation. Another thing I gathered from this film is the bravery of taking actions and not being afraid of the public eye; King George underwent therapy sessions under discretion. It seriously is an inspiring movie.

An absolute favorite of this film is the cinematography. I loved the shots of the scenes and way that every set seemed wide and huge. It was played out very well and looked a little quirky and eccentric, but it also played out significantly in the dramatic scenes.

Another love for this film is the art direction. The way the sets were brought alive was vivid and displayed royal life like it is, beautiful and imaginative.

Of course, the greatest factors in the cinematography and art direction skills are the actors, and in this film, they were extraordinary. Firth played the King as a helpless reluctant heir who will literally give anything than to rule. Rush played the speech therapist as a man with no fears or regrets. He is not afraid of insulting the king. Bonham-Carter also did a splendid job as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She was very supportive and took the job of loyalty to her husband.

Truthfully, after watching this film win Best Picture and Best Actor for Colin Firth at the 83^rd Annual Academy Awards, my well said reviews for this film weren’t based on its accolades. For the longest, I was positive that The Social Network would win, but rather abruptly, the critical and commercial success this film was garnering changed my mind.

The King’s Speech is beautiful masterpiece of courage and dignity that inspires an individual to take stand and not to give up. I reward this film a deserving 5 out of 5 and you can buy it now on DVD.