My Realistic View of The 400 Blows

My POV of 400 Blows
 
My Realistic View of The 400 Blows

By: Danielle Peters

The 400 Blows expressed realism and aesthetic style. I really liked how Truffaut addressed realist views of the middle class and applied his personal touch (and life) into the film’s structure even though it really did not have a structure. These theories were represented by film elements like the unstable tracking/ panning camera movement, emotional striking scenes whenever Antoine is punished, and hidden visual styles such as cross-hatching recurring patterns towards the ending.

The camera movement is such a big deal representing the realism of the life of Antoine. There is a shot when Antoine is looking from the back of a vehicle and the camera focuses on a POV shot giving the audience a chance of what Antoine is seeing and ultimately feeling.

The emotional striking punishment scenes really got to me. Every time Antoine would get hit, which would be a lot throughout the movie, made me think about how he is feeling; I would feel like I have to get away from that environment just like what Antoine did. I do have to say that at one point, I did feel that Antoine kind of liked getting hit because it happens so much throughout the movie.

As I was watching, I did find recurring patterns of cross-hatching in doors, windows, wagons, cages, Antoine’s jacket, etc. I did mention this in class; however, other visual styles like mirrors, space, and the “salt and pepper/ Antoine and Rene” character team serves a big role in thematic and symbolism within The 400 Blows that is very intriguing!

Overall, I would rate The 400 Blows 4/ 5 stars.

Photo Credit (in order) :

http://ferdyonfilms.com/

movieretrospect.blogspot.com 

infoplease.com