What a great work. It has the sensibility of Truffaut’s 400 Blows. And it handles the same devastating moral ground as a Bergman or Rohmer, and does so with a cinematographic skill on par with 1970’s Buñuel. He even offers an alternate, more subtle manifestation of some of Buñuel’s jibes. There are even moments in the film which bring to mind Fellini’s Amarcord. What a great work.

Note: This is only my second Malle. I wasn’t that impressed by his debut film Elevator to the Gallows, but clearly he went on to become a master.

Final note: I would just like to add that I found the relationship between the three brothers to be intriguing and delightful.