Contempt (1963) Review

Title: Contempt
Year: 1963
Director: Jean Luc Godard
Country: France 
Language: French

Sight and Sound critic Colin MacCabe has claimed Contempt “the greatest work of art produced in post-war Europe." Roger Ebert was fairly lukewarm in comparison, saying that it was not a "Good but not great Godard picture." The film must be important as it has inspired a generation of film-makers, from Scorsese to Tarantino. I decided to view it myself to see what the hype was about.


In Contempt screenwriter Paul Javal's (Michel Piccoli) marriage to his wife Camille (Bridgette Bardot) disintegrates during movie production as she spends time with the producer. Layered conflicts between art and business ensue.


Jean Luc Godard films a disintegrating marriage like an epic Greek tragedy. He shoots in Cinemascope, filling the frame with gorgeous landscapes and awe-inspiring cinematography. The score booms with itensity; heightening the drama that is unfolding onscreen. The dialogue is complex and the screenwriting is rich with psychology.


Contempt is a layered film as it is an ironic retelling of The Odyssey. Our characters' marriage is the journey, As Godard was shooting the film, he was going through similar difficulties with his wife Anna Karina. It is a smart picture that stimulates an audiences intelligence & allows us to engage with its source material.


Godard's film is breathtaking in scope. Contempt takes marriage woes the their cinematic peak. I was greatly impressed by this picture and will revisit it in the future. Bridgette Bardot's butt was also nice.