Band of Outsiders
dir. Jean-Luc Godard · 1964
Life is a series of choices that can lead to both excitement and moral ambiguity.
Franz and Arthur, two young men enamored with the idea of American tough-guy personas, plot a burglary with their classmate Odile, who oscillates between intrigue and distress. Watching this film feels like wandering through a whimsical dreamscape where the lines between reality and fantasy blur, punctuated by moments of playful absurdity and existential reflection.
A triangle: Franz, Arthur, and Odile. Franz, a young man with Alain Delon good looks, has met Odile in an English class. She lives in Joinville with wealthy benefactors and has mentioned to Franz that Mr. Stolz keeps a pile of 10,000 franc notes unlocked in his room. Franz tells his friend Arthur, a swarthy guy whose shady uncle is pressing him for money. Arthur and Franz, who mimic American movie tough guys, case Odile's house, pressure her to assist them with a burglary, and make passes at her as well. She's alternately compliant and distressed. Will they pull off the heist?
