Rent L'Argent (1983)

Capital. - L'Argent review by NC

Many of the facets of cinematography which are taken for granted when watching a feature film have to be abandoned on encountering Robert Bresson. Not just the non-professional cast, commanded at all costs not to 'act', for which he's so famous, but the out-of-joint picture framing, and principal incidents taking place offstage, or of which we see only the after-events. There is a linear narrative, but often as if a couple of scenes have been edited out, leaving the viewer to assume what has happened. Once you've adjusted your balance, it's a unique and fulfilling experience.

Bresson's Catholicism may not be as overt as in 'Les Anges Du Peche' or 'Diary Of A Country Priest', but it is evident nonetheless. Money is the root of all evil. This is what happens when money is worshipped rather than God. Injustice. Reward for perjury. Bribes for silence. And let's not care too much if the innocent fall.

Yvon is let down by the police, the courts, his employers, even his wife. By the time a society built around capital has done with him, he has turned from a mild-mannered family man into a monster with bloody revenge in his heart.

The transition doesn't really work, which is why the film has four stars, and not five, but the assertion is sharp. All the more so because Bresson's ascetic tone ensures that any startling or stimulating action strikes like a flash of brilliant colour across a black-and-white picture.

Faking French Francs. - L'Argent review by CH

If Bresson had lived a few more decades he might have made films about the morality of some Virtual Brave new world of unfettered Global online fraud, scam phishing, Bitcoin (and Nigerian Romance scammers constantly defrauding silly old Ladies into sending their pensions and entire life savings.) Sadly Bresson’s film L’Argent is a victim of the passage of time, and we are that Virtual Brave New world, now inundated by the tsunami of cashless exchanges thundering under the technological bridge of total unaccountability.

Not worth the money - L'Argent review by CSF

I saw the film in France, when it came out. Robert Bresson was in the fashion for the 'intellectuels'. I was bored to tears and I thought I was too young to appreciate such a high standard so I wanted to see it again. My feelings are even worse. I found the film boring, pretentious and typical of this era. The actors play as if they were reciting the telephone book, showing cardboard feelings, trying to look like Nietzsche in deep thinking. I don't buy... maybe too expensive for my intelligence.