Alphaville, une étrange aventure de Lemmy Caution

(1965)A US secret agent is sent to the distant space city of Alphaville where he must find a missing person and free the city from its tyrannical ruler.For more aboutand the Alphaville Blu-ray release, see Alphaville Blu-ray Review published by Neil Lumbard on July 25, 2019 where this Blu-ray release scoredout ofDirector: Jean-Luc Godard Writers: Jean-Luc Godard Starring: Eddie Constantine Producer: André Michelin

Alphaville Blu-ray Review

One of Jean-Luc Godard's most mesmerizing cinematic creations

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard, July 25, 2019

Few filmmakers have the originality or creative audacity of Jean-Luc Godard (Breathless, Band of Outsiders). Alphaville is one of the most unique and experimental films produced in the auteur filmmakers impressive career. A brooding science-fiction odyssey which capably blends together elements of the surreal with a dark Noir sensibility that permeates every crevice of the stylized filmmaking, Alphaville stands alone as one of the most unique sci-fi outings produced in cinema. Produced by André Michelin (License to Kill, Spray of the Days), fans of classic cinema will find the film to be a essential classic worthy of exploration.

Approaching the technologically advanced landscape of the futuristic city known as Alphaville, Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) is a suave secret agent, always wearing a long trench-coat, who sets out on a uncommon and spectacular mission: to destroy the devious Alpha 60 (a super advanced and futuristic computer system which rules over all the people of Alphaville with its evil fervor).

Along the dangerous journey, Lemmy aims to find a missing agent and to meet the creator of the computer: Professor Leonard Nosferatu (Howard Vernon). Helping him out with his strange journey into darkness is the drop-dead gorgeous and altogether peculiar Natacha von Braun (Anna Karina), a whimsical girl who has a special aura about her that is clearly undeniable. A scary and fraught journey lays ahead for them as the city of Alphaville descends into madness.



"Chapter One: The Beginning of Madness"

Paul Misraki (The Proud and the Beautiful, The Other Side of Paradise) composes a unsettling score which helps to set the ominous tone of the Noir filmmaking. There is something to be said about the fine synchronicity of the score music and the compelling black and white cinematography by the brilliant Raoul Coutard (Jules and Jim, Pierrot le Fou). Looking over the filmmography of French director Jean-Luc Godard, it's clear to me that the best films of the auteur filmmaker (or at least my absolute favorites in his ever long career) are the ones with cinematography by Coutard.

There is just something so special about the way the great Coutard photographs each and every one of his films: the lush lighting, the careful framing, and the experimental style is one of my favorite things about Godard's films and this terrific effort certainly stands as one of the very best. The dark, brooding style is evocative and compelling to see unfold and the final act of the production truly delves into dark territory with a frenzied chaos that feels quite haunting and unforgettable.

There is also something truly impressive about the utterly charming Anna Karina and her impeccable class act. Karina is a great actress who always improved every single Godard film she starred in and Alphaville is no exception to this rule. In many regards, I feel that she is one of the best actresses in French cinema and I have adored her in so many films. Her amazing performance manages to feel as if it is both carefully nuanced and carefree at the same time which makes for an even more compelling experience. Karina's incredible beauty also radiates in each scene and is undeniable.

Jean-Luc Godard crafted one of his most unique feature films with the experimental sci-fi Noir classic Alphaville. Godard can be a hit and miss filmmaker (especially in his later years) but for fans of his early (and best) works this stands as one of the most impressive films the auteur has created and it excels with its setting and tone in spades. Haunting, cerebral, and original in its approach to science-fiction filmmaking, Alphaville marks Godard at his most creative and is a must-see.