Beauty vs Beast: Direct to the Death
Monday, February 6, 2017 at 5:00PM Jason from MNPP here - for this week's "Beauty vs Beast" we're celebrating what would have been the 85th birthday of one of the most important figures in cinema, the French critic turned director François Truffaut. What's your favorite Truffaut film? I know the "right" answer is The 400 Blows (or possibly Jules & Jim) (or maybe Day For Night) but I've always had a real soft spot for Mississippi Mermaid - Catherine Deneueve and Jean-Paul Belmondo all sweaty and sexy ? Sign me up.
But it's a different sexy pair I'm going to focus in on for this week's contest -- namely the director himself with his seminal book (recently turned documentary) Hitchcock / Truffaut, which linked him forever with the "Master of Suspense" himself. That's right - I found a way to make this series about Hitchcock again! Life finds a way, you guys.
PREVIOUSLY Last week Dario Argento's candy-colored hallucination Suspiria turned 40, and so we pit the film's protagonist, Suzy the dancing girl, against the conspiring witches running her dance academy, and just like in the film Suzy was able to pirouette to safety, taking just over 60% of your vote. Said Tom:
"I feel like the race should be a close one. But in light of recent events, I think many might feel urged to vote against an evil establishment with control issues. I'm voiting for Suzy."
Reader Comments (11)
I don't know if there is a "right" answer when it comes to a favorite for a particular director/performer's work. These things are so subjective.
For me I love Fahrenheit 451 even though it has its detractors. Two Julie Christie's is enough to tip it over into the win column for me and I love its glacial chilliness. And Bee Duffell as the Book Woman.
Beside it The Bride Wore Black and Day for Night would be my other favs.
The right answer is indeed 400 Blows (or possibly Jules and Jim) (or definitely The Story of Adele H). But holy Belmondo! I want to go to Mississippi Mermaid.
I think David Fincher saw Mississipi Mermaid before filming Gone Girl. Guy knows the wife is a bitch but can't avoid staying by her side?
My favorite Truffaut is the wonderful Stolen Kisses, maybe the best romantic comedy ever.
Jules et Jim.
Favourite Truffaut films? Well, yes, Les Quatre Cents Coups, of course. And Tirez sur le Pianiste, La Sirene du Mississipi, L'Enfant sauvage. Very underrated: Antoine et Colette, the Antoine Doinel short film.
I know he'll lose, but my vote goes for Truffaut because his passion and adoration for cinema were undeniably stronger than Hitchcock's. Truffaut even loved Hitchcock's films more than Hitchcock himself!
I see myself in him sometimes when I meet other supposed film buffs who disappoint me for demonstrably not loving films as much as me, you know what I mean? They have sophisticated taste, appreciation for world cinema, but they're perhaps too critical and don't give themselves over to really enjoying them. Truffaut really, really loved movies.
Roger: Well said.
That's tough. Hitchcock's made a lot of classics but I feel more personally invested towards the films of Truffaut as I've seen all of his films.
My favorite Truffaut films are "The Bride Wore Black" and "Confidentially Yours". Fanny Ardant and Jean-Louis Trintignant together, what could be more fun?
I like the two writers whose books these films were based on, Cornell Woolrich and Charles Williams. Both have a number of films based on their books, pulpy thrilling delicious narratives.
OTT but yep Belmondo had a killer body and great doses of sex appeal. He was sex on legs.
Hitchcock was my first cinematic idol and several of his films remain on my all time "best" list, but the revelations about his assault of Tippi Hedren have turned my stomach. I couldn't press the "vote" button for him. Francois, c'est too.