A Man and a Woman (1966)

 Claude Lelouch's "A Man and a Woman"


While the plot may be deceptively simple, Claude Lelouch's "A Man and a Woman" is decidedly unsimple in its execution of visual imagery. From gorgeous sequences of color, to black-and-white, a sepia-toned shots, every visual demands its own attention as a unique layout of its story. This, along with the artistically-minded edits, makes it a great addition to the French New Wave and a uniquely sublime romance story.

The film centers on a man and a woman (obviously). Both are widowed, single parents who meet at their children's school. After spending the day together, they develop romantic feelings for one another and continue their tryst. However, memories of their late partners continue to ring in their minds.

There is a certain 'slice of life' romantic quality the film possesses - one that reminds me of Richard Linklater's "The Before Trilogy." However, with the added 1960s-style New Wave, it becomes something that feels more like a fleeting memory. The feeling is intoxicating and intimate - mirroring the sentiment of the two protagonists falling in love.

The film's intense impact is certainly felt, as French audiences flocked to the cinema - making it the 6th highest grossing film of 1966 in the country. As for American audiences, it generated $6.3 million and even won two Academy Awards - one for Best Foreign Film and one for Best Original Screenplay. To this stay, the film is still remembered. It was even selected for the Cannes Classic Section at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.

"A Man and a Woman" will certainly put anybody into a romantic mood. It's spirit bubbles like the rapturous feeling of falling in love for the first time. Without its mighty step forward as a purely sentimental and warm illustration, we may have never had the films today that are directly inspired by its magic.



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