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Jules and Jim

Jules et Jim

  • Status: Released
  • 23-01-1962
  • Runtime: 106 min
  • Score: 7.567
  • Vote count: 979

In the carefree days before World War I, introverted Austrian author Jules strikes up a friendship with the exuberant Frenchman Jim and both men fall for the impulsive and beautiful Catherine.

Henri Serre

Jim

Oskar Werner

Jules

Jeanne Moreau

Catherine

Marie Dubois

Thérèse

Sabine Haudepin

Sabine

Vanna Urbino

Gilberte

Serge Rezvani

Albert

Anny Nelsen

Lucie

Michel Subor

Récitant / Narrator (voix)

Danielle Bassiak

Albert's Companion

Elen Bober

Mathilde

Pierre Fabre

Drunkard in Cafe

Dominique Lacarrière

One of the Women

Bernard Largemains

Merlin

Kate Noelle

Birgitta

Jean-Louis Richard

Customer in Cafe

Michel Varesano

Customer in Cafe

Christiane Wagner

Helga

CinemaSerf

Jeanne Moreau is superb here with her portrayal of "Catherine", a rather selfish and erratic woman who manipulates two men - "Julius/Jules" (Oskar Werner) and "Jim" (Henri Serre). Sometimes married to one, but in love with them both - or with neither, or maybe even not with herself - Truffaut juggles these three balls terrifically well. The pace changes frequently - hectic then glacial; the dialogue is sparing - especially from "Jim", and the style of the film evolves effortlessly with a narrative that starts before WWI and continues long after. The photography is frequently intimate and potent and we are invited to follow these flawed individuals as they age pretty gracelessly trying to find some solution to their predicament - who gets the girl; who does the girl want; what does the girl want? As ever with this director, there is humour and glamour - and if you get an opportunity, try and see it on a big screen to immerse yourself in the detail of this quality production. It sags a little in the third quarter and I have to say that I didn't much like any of their characters - but otherwise an entertaining look at life when the norms don't apply - and well worth a watch.