Vivre Sa Vie

UK Release Date. 29 October 1962
Certification. X
Running Time. 1 hour 30 mins
Director. Jean-Luc Godard
Cast. Anna Karina, André Labarthe, Sady Rebbot, Guylaine Schlumberger.
Rating. 54%

Review.

“Lend yourself to others, but give yourself to yourself.”

The introductory epigraph from the French philosopher, Michel de Montaigne introduces the audience to Nana (Anna Karina), the prominent figure in Jean-luc Godard’s landmark 1962 drama, Vivre Sa Vie. Nana, a young Parisian woman leaves her husband, Paul (André Labarthe) and her infant son hoping to become an actress. When nothing comes of her dreams, we witness Nana’s slow descent into a bleak life of prostitution.

Vivre Sa Vie unfolds in 12 numbered tableaux, each listing what and who we are about to see in the manner of a 19th century novel. The film is framed by the forever unforgiving malice of society. Paris seems to consume all and sundry - Nana is no exception.

This is quintessential soul searching from Jean-luc Godard. For some, it may come off as tiresome, even pretentious. Highlighting the entire narrative is the subtle, yet still evocative, performance of Anna Karina. Her doe eyes speak volumes by themselves. Karin’s repeated gazes directly into the camera proffer an effortless sexuality reminiscent of a ravishing Beatrice Dalle. Vivre Sa Vie is undoubtedly one of the directors strongest collaborations with his then wife.

Godard is at his most strikingly minimalistic with this stark, astringent, unsentimental monochrome tale of the gradual decline and eventual demise of our liberated heroine. Stylistically, the film is almost documentary like, yet every carefully considered shot seems to question the nature of cinema itself, appearance and reality, and how we perceive the world. Perhaps what’s easiest to take from Godard’s approach in Vivre Sa Vie - with longtime collaborator Raoul Coutard - is the way he constantly messes with classical cinematic sensibilities. The way he cuts (or doesn’t), the way he interrupts sound or the way he moves between inter-titles.

The challenge of Vivre Sa Vie may be that the overarching plot lacks cohesion. It’s often unclear just how much time has passed between each section of the story. It plays out as if Nana is reflecting on the decisions and events the led to her demise. Fin.