Le Combat dans L'ile

If the French New Wave was about upending genre conventions, it’s subsequent iteration – New French Cinema – was more likely to incorporate those same conventions into something more polished but equally anti-establishment.  Alain Cavalier’s 1962 film, Le Combat dans L’ile, takes elements from film noir, romantic melodrama and political critique to craft a complex debut that’s cinematic grandstanding in the best possible way. 

Clément (Jean-Louis Trintignant) and Anne (Romy Schneider) are a married couple at odds over their lifestyle.  A former actress, Anne longs for excitement and romance, but, unbeknownst to her, Clément is living a double life as a political extremist.  When an assassination attempt goes wrong, the couple escape to the country home of an old friend, Paul (Henri Serre), who agrees to hide Anne while her husband goes on the run.  Romance blossoms unexpectedly and just as Paul and Anne are beginning to start a new life, Clément returns to claim what’s rightfully his.

 

Cavalier’s film is curiously unpredictable, refusing to settle down with any one character too long.  There’s an obvious anti right-wing agenda that comments on the ongoing Algerian occupation at the time, but politics are – for the most part – cleverly disguised in a complicated love triangle.  Romy Schneider, whose beautifully expressive face is even more rapturous in black-and-white, winds up being the closest we get to a protagonist…but even her romantic decisions are maddeningly questionable.

 

Le Combat dans L’ile, despite its kitchen sink approach, remains engaging right up to the final showdown of the title, with Clément and Paul facing off in an old-fashioned duel.  Already an established star, Trintignant seems to relish playing a hypocritical cad obsessed with proving his manhood.  In fact, Cavalier seems so impressed with his actors he’s not sure which one to follow.  This creative back-and-forth means a few missed narrative opportunities (and lots of emotional handwringing) but still makes for a shockingly confident first feature.

 

The Radiance limited-edition Blu-ray (only 3000 copies) is simply staggering to look at with a 2K restoration from the original negative.  Extras include interviews with Cavalier and Trintignant, an analysis from French critic Philippe Roger, Cavalier’s first short film, Un américan, behind the scenes stills and a booklet with new writing on the film.  And don’t sleep on Radiance’s other Cavalier title, Fill ‘er up with Super, which is very much worth your time.

 

 

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