Enfant sauvage (L')

  

English title: The Wild Child

Genre: behavioural drama 

Director: François Truffaut

Release: 1969

Studio: Les Artistes Associés, Les Films du Carrosse et al.

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.7/10

This is civilization, son, whether you like it or not

In 1798, a woman gathering plants in a French forest runs for her life when she comes face to face with a wild, naked boy (Jean-Pierre Cargol). Locals organize a search, the boy is captured. When reports of this strange happening reach the French capital, men of science express interest in the young savage. With François Truffaut (Doctor Itard), Jean Dasté (Professor Pinel) and Françoise Seigner (Mrs. Guérin).

L’ENFANT SAUVAGE, a black and white film based on historical archives (Itard’s reports on the Aveyron savage), is one of the oddest and most astounding spectacles you’ll ever see. It seems otherworldly, somewhat like THE ELEPHANT MAN, and has the distinct feel of a scientific documentary. Once the young savage arrives in Paris, Itard will undertake his education; unlike Pinel, he is convinced that the boy can become ‘Victor’, a socially-adapted young man. That’s how the story goes… and a compelling one it is in spite of its coldness.

To be successful, Truffaut’s film needed strong leads and what it got was miraculous. Jean-Pierre Cargol’s performance is almost unbelievable when you consider he had to go against nature and play a beast whose reactions are singularly unhuman. Truffaut also nails it as the scientist and strict disciplinarian; in his other role behind the camera, he has kept his movie sober, fluid and tight, limiting himself to the clinical comments authored by Itard.

Recently, the New York Times ran an article stating that moviegoers are balking at current Hollywood fare. L’ENFANT SAUVAGE may be an old foreign film but it’s one of those extraordinary works that will make you fall in love with the movies all over again. If you decide to see it, I have one big favour to ask of you. Since Truffaut and Jean Gruault have not provided their scenario with a definitive ending, don’t research Victor’s story on the Internet or elsewhere until you’ve seen the movie. That way, the end result of Itard’s efforts will surprise you even more.

MBiS

© 2014 – All rights reserved