Summary
An eminent biologist, Henri Laborit, illustrates how behavioural theories about survival
and social development pertaining to animals can be applied to human beings. He does this
by making reference to the lives of three people: Jean, an ambitious writer and politician,
Janine, an aspiring actress, and René, a country boy who ends up managing a textile
factory. All three characters are placed in threatening, life-changing situations
which, the professor claims, vindicates his theories…
Review
What could easily have been a conventional drama about the pressures of modern living
is magnificently transformed into a multi-layered film which is both compelling and entertaining,
despite its unusual narrative structure. Although less distinctive than some
of Resnais’ earlier films, it illustrates the director’s capacity to make great cinema
that is provocative and innovative without alienating its potential audience. Not
only does Resnais have something new to say, he actually manages to persuade us to listen
to him, a knack that many other avant-garde directors lack.
The films switches between a documentary-style discussion of animal behaviour and a highly
charged emotional drama with almost the same unsettling effect as someone switching between
two television channels. The two styles differ so markedly that they genuinely complement
each other and, remarkably, the drama appears that much more poignant and comic.
The two strands to the narrative cross in a number of ways, including some surreal intermediate
scenes where human beings actually become the laboratory white mice they are being compared
with.
The human drama part of the film is itself split into three strands, which ultimately
converge. This fragmentation of the narrative ought to be a distraction but it works
to great effect, enabling Resnais to explore one of his favourite themes, the interaction
of time, place and memory.
© James Travers 2001
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