Les Quatre cents coups

I can't get over the many layers of beauty that make up this fantastic film.  One of my favorite elements of this film involves its simplicity. There are no crazy special effects, or even inconceivable set of events; no, this film is simple from beginning to end, and that, my friends, is the brilliance behind The 400 Blows. It's a simple story, one we can all relate to: feeling misunderstood, and uncared for. Antoine Doniel is having a hard time at school, and his home-life is not making his burden any lighter. After being completely fed-up with his crumbling situation, Antoine runs away, and is dealt with the consequences that transition him into a new stage in life.

I really appreciated that the film was told from the perspective of a child. Many times in life children are pushed to the side, and seen as second class citizens; we forget that they also experience all of the same emotions an adult experiences. I think François Truffaut, director of  the film, did an excellent job illustrating the essence of childhood: doing things without contemplating its consequences. One of my favorite scenes from the film is when Antoine tells his teacher that his mother has passed away, and he does this in order to get out of trouble. I can definitely say that I have been in this stage in my life, and if I remember correctly I was around twelve and thirteen, just as Antoine.  

One last thing: my absolute most favorite scene from The 400 Blows is when Antoine Doniel is being interviewed by the psychiatrist; that scene is brilliant on so many levels.