Director Alain Robbe-Grillet certainly polarises opinion. Everything from 'genius' to 'BS-artist'! Many reviews I have read are just as pretentious as his films are accused of being.
As a leading figure of the 'Nouveau Roman' school it was a natural progression to the medium of film where he could portray the 'natural disorder of things' and reach a far wider audience.
His unconventional structure suits this film perfectly as the director, playing himself, is literally making it up as he goes along whilst sitting on a train.
In this he also has the services of two charismatic leads, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Marie -France Pisier plus Willy Kurant's splendid camera work.
Many found the erotic images discomforting and although the bondage scenes in this are more M&S than S&M they were considered shocking enough in the mid-1960's to keep the film off British screens for quite a few years.
Robbe-Grillet's film is easily his most accessible and works wonderfully as Film Noir spoof. It is great fun and should not be taken too seriously.
Review of Trans-Europ-Express
