In his first filmmaking lap, Jean-Luc Godard made the "Ultimate Godard Version" of most discrete film genres. "Breathless" is his crime film, "Les Carabiniers" is his war film, and "Alphaville" is his science-fiction film.
Outlander Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) is a refugee from a hard-boiled detective novel, down to his Mike Hammer-esque trenchcoat and hat. He's unflappable and off-putting. He's also the only person in Alphaville to show any emotions. The powerful computer, Alpha 60, keeps all citizens of Alphaville as prisoners of pure logic. The extent of Alpha 60's control becomes more apparent over time. It's able to read and control people's minds, shaping Alphaville into a hive.
Yes, Alphaville is the Matrix. Godard's cinematic dystopia is the first to speculate on the runaway dangers of computers. With cold logic, they approximate fascistic ideals, but in a futuristic way.
"Alphaville's" influence can be seen in "Blade Runner," as well. (For once, "Blade Runner" is influenced, not influential!) Caution's personality and relationship to Natacha von Braun (Anna Karina) have analogs in Deckard and Rachael of the later film.
I'll admit to some confusion over what exactly is going on at times in "Alphaville." Godard films have a lot to chew on and reward repeat viewings. It's this complexity and lack of exposition that sell the world.
"Alphaville" is dated, but not cheesy sixties sci-fi dated. Godard worked on location, with appropriated but unembellished buildings and props. With imagination, a bare bulb really is an evil computer eye.
Oops--wrong Alphaville.
Outlander Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) is a refugee from a hard-boiled detective novel, down to his Mike Hammer-esque trenchcoat and hat. He's unflappable and off-putting. He's also the only person in Alphaville to show any emotions. The powerful computer, Alpha 60, keeps all citizens of Alphaville as prisoners of pure logic. The extent of Alpha 60's control becomes more apparent over time. It's able to read and control people's minds, shaping Alphaville into a hive.
Yes, Alphaville is the Matrix. Godard's cinematic dystopia is the first to speculate on the runaway dangers of computers. With cold logic, they approximate fascistic ideals, but in a futuristic way.
"Alphaville's" influence can be seen in "Blade Runner," as well. (For once, "Blade Runner" is influenced, not influential!) Caution's personality and relationship to Natacha von Braun (Anna Karina) have analogs in Deckard and Rachael of the later film.
I'll admit to some confusion over what exactly is going on at times in "Alphaville." Godard films have a lot to chew on and reward repeat viewings. It's this complexity and lack of exposition that sell the world.
"Alphaville" is dated, but not cheesy sixties sci-fi dated. Godard worked on location, with appropriated but unembellished buildings and props. With imagination, a bare bulb really is an evil computer eye.
Oops--wrong Alphaville.
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