In this monumental work, one central motif deeply influenced all other notable proclivities: realism. A documentary-like work otherwise, this movie does what I most admire about movies: immerse us with different lives, times, and places. So, first, this quality in the '400 blows' predominates and accentuates the rest of the movie to germane sensitivity; from there the plot takes over and we delve into the lives of a small middle-class family, and the main character among the three family members--the boy. Indeed, the astute social critique leaves the viewer with long lasting impressions. But the boy's plight will ever remain the single most potent symbol in my memory of the vindication, liberty, freedom, and inevitable alienation humans undergo in their lives. Definitely a movie I would like to see again and again, if not to enjoy the beauty of the filming, but at least to remind myself the predicament of life.
Review of The 400 Blows
