GurlyIamBeach
Instant Favorite.
Animenter
There are women in the film, but none has anything you could call a personality.
DipitySkillful
an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.
Scarlet
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
thinbeach
Poor Antoine doesn't have much luck in life. After running away from home and ending 'The 400 Blows' in an observation centre for troubled youths, he is now working in a record factory, and completely failing with the girl he likes. Rather than fall into melodrama, Antoine appears now as just a regular teenager, with a passion for music, a little shy, and inexperienced with women, and we see the social mask one wears over their true emotions. From the concert, to the movies, to the hotel opposite Colette's home, we experience the swell of hope at the sight of her, to the crushing rejection as she looks for polite excuses to turn him away. It could not be captured on film more accurately - the dreaded friend zone.The black and white cinematography is handled in the same assured manner as its predecessor.
Michael_Elliott
Antoine and Colette (1962)*** 1/2 (out of 4) This 30-minute short from Francois Truffaut was originally a part of the anthology film LOVE AT TWENTY but it got its own release since many considered it the stand out entry. It also serves as a sequel to THE 400 BLOWS as Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Leaud) is now out of trouble, living and working and soon he finds himself falling for a woman named Colette (Marie-France Pisier). At first Antoine believes that the two are starting a good relationship but before long it's clear that the woman has a different mind set. I guess the simplest thing to say is that the ladies in France aren't much different than the ones in America when it comes to confusing a young man and breaking his heart. I really thought this was an extremely good film and a worthy follow-up to THE 400 BLOWS, which by many, not myself, think is the director's masterpiece. I really liked how Truffaut didn't just give us the same type of story and instead of the tense drama he treated us to quite a few sweet scenes that have a touch of bittersweetness to them. I think most adults watching this are going to realize what's going on with the "relationship" but the film also takes you back to the days of youth when being naive was just part of the game. Both Leaud and Pisier are excellent together and the two of them really shine in regards to their performances. The cinematography is excellent as you'd expect and there's no doubt that Truffaut handles the material with care.
rjyelverton
This follow-up to "The 400 Blows" continues Doinel's story and necessarily modifies the closing moments of Truffaut's debut. When we last saw Doinel he was alone and trapped by his situation. He stares blankly at the screen and we are given the impression that this boy is lost, maybe eternally. Turns out he's actually okay if not very happy. The very act of continuing the story undermines the full stop and despair of "Blows." Depending on your reaction to the conclusion of "Blows," this might be a blessing and a relief. It's best, as when approaching most sequels, to let the first part stand on its own and try to approach additional installments as individual films."Antoine and Colette" is approximately thirty minutes long and was initially released as part of the anthology film "Love at 20." (Criterion has packaged "The 400 Blows" and "Antoine and Colette" together as part of their Adventures of Antoine of Doniel boxed set.) The film finds Doinel at 17 years old living in a tiny apartment and working in an assembly line at the Philips record company. The film includes a clumsily inserted flashback from the first installment and demonstrates that Doinel has continued his friendship with his more privileged classmate Rene.While attending a concert with Rene, Antoine becomes fixated on Colette and begins a labored attempt at wooing her. She is kind to Doinel, but, as a narrator informs us, considers Antoine a friend. Antoine, however, is blinded by persistent romantic longing that the series will continue to reference. He fuels his romantic outlook with a steady diet of literature and music. While he obsesses over his nascent romance, Colette goes about dating young men with no intention of ever entangling herself with Doinel. As one prone to similar romantic obtuseness as a young man, I found this chapter of the Doinel story both humorous and a little uncomfortable.This film also introduces a trend that will recur in "Stolen Kisses." The orphaned Antoine, even into adulthood, becomes the surrogate child of his love interest's parents. The parents, seeing Antoine's need, feed the young man, offer him company, meals and kindness. It's touching, but awkward, as the parents show him more affection than do the young women Antoine is pursuing.This sequel to "The 400 Blows" is worth viewing more for the work of Jean Pierre-Leaud than for Truffaut's direction. (There is, however, a crackling sequence in "Antoine and Colette" when Antoine keeps trying to slyly ogle Colette and her legs while she pretends not to notice.) Leaud's work in "Blows" is raw and and austere, but in this installment and "Stolen Kisses," Leaud shifts towards a more endearing and hapless comic figure. He is a skilled, unassuming comic, believable and deliciously awkward. He provides enough reason to keep viewers returning to subsequent chapters. With "Antoine and Colette" and "Stolen Kisses," the tone shifts from realism toward farce grounded in humanity.
thebathroomsinger
Truffaut made his grand entry into full length cinema at the young age of 28 with the classic masterpiece 400 Blows which is a semi-autobiographical tale of his childhood. Then, he went on to make three other movies in which he experimented with some humour(Tire-au-flanc 62 and Tirez sur le pianist) and then with crazy love (in Jules & Jim). But all the while, he felt like he hadnt said enough about the story of Antoine in 400 Blows - that film ends quite enigmatically, leaving the viewer wondering how that kid turned out. So, Truffaut decides to make the short-film 'Anotine & Collette' to pacify the eager fans with news of Antoine, that he's OK, he's alive, he's now a young adult, independent, working at Phillips making records to earn his living and not stealing typewriters and the like. Maybe he had always this concept in mind - to use the same actor for the role of the same character which is why he had to patiently wait for Jean-Pierre Leaud to age, to play the role of Antoine.And if you've loved/liked the 400 Blows, then you must also surely remember his best-friend René, the guy who Antoine stays with after being expelled from school, to play poker, drink wine and smoke cigars. He has a small role to play in this film too - they're still good friends, talking about the good old times (scenes from the 400 Blows) And, he is still played by the same actor, Patrick Auffay, which shows a kind of progression, a continuation. Well, René was always the more confident and self-assured person, with loads of money to help, so he gets along well in life, has a good relationship going with a girl, which is expressed in those few scenes where they compare their 'amours' and René gives advice to Antoine to progress from 'the chase' to 'the attack' and get the girl. But Collette does not have any interest in Antoine despite all his attempts to woo her with regular visits, concert-dates, and other 'moves' which i wont disclose. Antoine even follows René's strategy of writing letters, but that doesn't seem to work either. Now, once again the viewer is left in the middle of a stage in Antoine's life. What will become of Antoine, will he get to be with Collette, or will he get over her, will he find somebody new and will he actually succeed with this somebody new??? Stay tuned to the same Truffaut-channel, Antoine Doinel-time, for, about six years hence, will come Baisers Volés! (TRIVIA - Collette played by Marie-France Pisier, makes a reappearance in Amour en Fuite, the last film in the series)Lastly, the song, 'Love at Twenty' played at the end with those scenes in different parts of Paris, along the Seine, in the parks, and on the streets, is just beautiful!! "It could end badly, or it could end well... ...but thats Love at the age of Twenty!"