Jean Luc-Godard directs Anna Karina, Sady Rebbot and André S. Labarthe in this drama following a young free spirit’s descent into prostitution.

A bit of class this. So beautiful, so stylish and evocative of its era. Yet also deliberately cold and calculated. Distancing techniques abound like chapter intertitles, abrupt cuts, unflinching cameras, long shots of the back of people’s heads, bleak clinical narration from government surveys about prostitution. Yet all of it cannot suppress a glowing star turn from Anna Karina – as the gorgeous fool who would rather oblivion than her normal constraining life, she is captivating. You feel for her ennui and failed attempt to break out, savour her guilt and acceptance of her lot. Yes – it is a tragedy but there are some quirky moments embracing pop culture scattered to entertain us (a trip to the movies / a jukebox is played), that poke holes of light into the darkness. Great!

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