Netflix's synopsis is as follows:
"After young Antoine (Jean-Pierre Léaud) runs away, life on the streets of Paris leads to nothing but trouble and guilt in this gritty feature film debut from legendary director François Truffaut. Though he turns to petty crime to survive, Antoine's remorse often leads him to try to return things he's stolen -- with disastrous results. The film was nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival."
That description is way more enticing than the film. It was slow to start, and I was wondering when the "gritty" underbelly of France was going to be exposed. When the last frame hung still on the screen with a white "FIN" printed boldly, I thought, "so much for grit!" Of course, this film was made in 1959, and my Tarentino soaked mind may be completely jaded when it comes to my definition of "grit." Watching "Rebel Without a Cause" today doesn't hold a candle to when the film debuted. Stories like this weren't made everyday; the idea that anyone would want to feature a troubled boy and his criminal activity - and be sympathetic to his plight - was as far away from happily-ever-after as you could get. For that, this film is a success.
When I think of "must-see" films, I think about how they changed me, or how they changed the face of film. Movies like "Sin City" and "300" shook traditional film to the core and screamed, "this can be done!" I think that "The 400 Blows" fits this statement in that it spits in the face of the saccharine sweet beach-bunny films of the late 50's and early 60's. Not everybody surfs and giggles.
I am indifferent to this film. I neither hated it, nor felt enlightened by it.
My review: indifferent face.
