Film Review
The first years of the new millennium have marked something of a revival for the French
New Wave, with Nouvelle Vague directors Claude Chabrol, Eric Rohmer and Jacques Rivette
all releasing major works which achieved both popular success and critical acclaim.
Rivette's offering is a charming romantic comedy which reminds us of the director's passion
for the theatre seen in his earlier works, such as
Paris nous appartient (1961).
Va savoir is constructed as a play within a play, and ultimately ends up with its
denouement being played out on a stage in a theatre. The main action of the film, involving
a rolling love cycle reminiscent of Max Ophüls'
La Ronde (1950), is inter-cut
with scenes of the stage performance of an Italian play. The themes of this play,
cheated love, deceit and revenge, are re-enacted by the characters in the "true life"
part of the film, who each embark upon a whimsical diversion in their love lives.
Although the film is shot and constructed as a conventional film, with naturalistic every-day
sets and dialogue, it gives the impression that it is itself a stage play - indeed, watching
the film in a cinema is very much a theatrical experience, in the best tradition of Shakespeare
and Molière.
The film is well-written, with some deliciously tongue-in-cheek dialogue and some hysterically
funny moments bordering on the surreal (most noticeably the dinner party from Hell, the
roof-top escape sequence and the vodka duel).
The six principal actors are perfectly
cast and offer great entertainment value, with particularly memorable performances from
rising star Jeanne Balibar and charismatic Italian actor Sergio Castellitto.
Acclaimed director and producer Claude Berri puts in a cameo appearance as a book lover.
Despite it being considerably shorter than most of Rivette's works,
Va savoir still
manages to run for an ample two and half hours (the original cut was of 220 minutes
in duration and was later released as
Va savoir+). However, that time passes very quickly: the combination
of authentic-seeming relationships and sophisticated comedy engages the audience throughout
and there is scarcely a moment of boredom.
Va savoir offers that quintessentially
French combination of wit, charm and honesty, parcelled up in an irresistibly delicious
and intelligent way by one of France's most radical and imaginative directors who, at
the age of 73, still shows no sign of flagging.
© James Travers 2002
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Next Jacques Rivette film:
Histoire de Marie et Julien (2003)
Film Synopsis
Camille returns to Paris, after three years in Italy, as the leading actress in a production
of Pirandello's play
Come tu me vuoi. Although she is attached to Ugo, her
manager, co-star and lover, she feels compelled to visit her former boyfriend, Pierre,
a philosopher lecturer. Pierre is now living with a dancing teacher, Sonia, but
he soon rediscovers his passion for Camille and sets about trying to win her back.
Meanwhile, Ugo meets an attractive young student, Dominique, or Do, whilst looking for
a long-lost play by the Italian playwright Goldoni. With Ugo and Do discovering
a mutual attraction, Do's shady half-brother Arthur attempts to seduce Sonia...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.