oh i tried to like jules and jim and it didn't work for me. i'm not sure why people claim this is one of truffaut's best work, because it was just a beautifully shot melodrama to me. maybe it's because i never identified with any of the characters. i think they were foolish and wasted their lives in this horrid love triangle for reasons other than true love.
i really didn't feel that jules and jim were really in love with catherine in that wonderful way that would make them put up with her. the characters seem thinly drawn out to me, i never understand catherine at all. she's a fickle control freak who likes to play with men's minds...what makes her so lovable? according to jules, it's because she's ordinary and flawed and therefore real.(or something to that effect) WTF? she's just selfish and hardly likeable. jules is more of a love-sick sort of guy who is easily manipulated and jim is downright indecisive. looks like catherine played with their weaknesses, not their hearts. seems like the only reason why they love her is because she's simply unattainable.
but what i do like about the film is its energy. especially the first 30 minutes before the war, where there is such an enthusiasm and joy for life. the middle is more somber, reflective and beautiful when we see the three reunited, interacting like old friends but with more maturity than in their youth. the end is a soap opera that i didn't care for.
i really didn't feel that jules and jim were really in love with catherine in that wonderful way that would make them put up with her. the characters seem thinly drawn out to me, i never understand catherine at all. she's a fickle control freak who likes to play with men's minds...what makes her so lovable? according to jules, it's because she's ordinary and flawed and therefore real.(or something to that effect) WTF? she's just selfish and hardly likeable. jules is more of a love-sick sort of guy who is easily manipulated and jim is downright indecisive. looks like catherine played with their weaknesses, not their hearts. seems like the only reason why they love her is because she's simply unattainable.
but what i do like about the film is its energy. especially the first 30 minutes before the war, where there is such an enthusiasm and joy for life. the middle is more somber, reflective and beautiful when we see the three reunited, interacting like old friends but with more maturity than in their youth. the end is a soap opera that i didn't care for.