Mouchette

Robert Bresson, it is 1967.
This is a more complicated film, with more plot strands, than 'Joan'. Yet its similarities (as with 'Au Hasard Balthasar') thematically stand out. This is of the 'female of sorrows', the constant suffering piled on one individual by the society that doesn't understand, that is just cruel and cruel and cruel. In response to this, he gives his heroine a streak of lightning, moments of petulance, an anger.
Mouchette's terrible life is artfully drawn. The lighting and make-up on, say, the hair and so on shows a character who is really grubby. The use of sound on the shoes is very smartly done; this isn't Bresson's most signifcant film sound-wise, but the taps of the shoes are an important precursor, along with the gun shots. Added, the crackling of the fire and of the leaves, amplified fully, create a great sense of immanence on place.
Bresson again has a strong use of identification, we study the face with great intensity. Although we do actually go away at moments, the narrative following, with the classic Bresson characteristic of not showing the 'main action' actually on screen, gives us a greater sense of vulnerability in Mouchette.
She is a very well drawn character. A small problem in this film is the unremittingly bleak nature. Yes, it is very tough, done without mawkishness but endlessly, endlessly grim. Disaster, in small ways, piles on disaster. Does this indicate too much of a single pace in tone? It can seem so a little.
This is a richer film than some other Bresson's we have seen, and we enjoyed it accordingly. With the above mentioned problem as a slight counter-weight, it still remains a fine film.