The Film (4/5)

A greedy teenager passes off a counterfeit bill in the hopes of scoring more money for his allowance. Once it’s discovered it was used in a photo and camera shop, the employees soon pass it off to a poor truck driver. This soon starts a web of sin and violence as the truck driver is wrongfully imprisoned.

L’ARGENT (1983) is the swan song for French Director Robert Bresson, A man who pushed the artform in France during the 1950’s and the Dawn of the French New Wave (Nouvelle Vague), with films like A MAN ESCAPED (1956).  His style was also daring with a minimalist vibe and high emotions from morally challenging situations. With L’ARGENT (“Money”), Bresson would close his career with a haunting tale of greed and the aftershocks of it.

Originally based on the Leo Tolstoy Novella, “The Forged Coupon”, L’ARGENT is a cold and distant film that shows how one simple act of greed can burst out into a mushroom cloud of despair. All the characters from Yvon (Christian Patey), the truck driver to the older farmer lady (Sylvie Van Den Elsen) start off innocently but become affected by the evils of the counterfeit bill. Yvon soon turns to murder after the court headaches and prison time. He soon becomes the film’s main character, and his decent into crime is tragic and heartbreaking.

Just like Bresson’s other films, the style is almost alien with its obsession with close-ups. Close-ups of feet, hands, and objects. Since the film has no real soundtrack, were left with the noises of the city and the objects in them. The ATM Machines turn into sinister machines with their loud bursts of movement as bills are shot out.

The viewing experience of L’ARGENT is surprisingly fast and exciting for such a distant and cold movie. The plot and subplots never stop for a breather, even the quiet scenes are building tension.  By the last third all bets are off for the twists and turns it will take.  Ending on a shocking image and leaving the viewer with food for thought. It will stay with me for some time.

Audio/Video (5/5)

The film comes with a French DTS-HD sound mix, and every second shines. The sound effects almost play like music with its crisp textures of various pans, shoes, gritty pavement, and hollow doors. There’s no hiss or pops. The dialogue is also sharp and clear. English subtitles are included.

The 1080p HD transfer is another beauty. The black levels are sharp and the picture is perfectly focused. The use of color in the film is also noticeable with all the warm effects. The movie has a golden tent in the farm house scenes and a colder grey in the city. Every shot is a pleasure to see.

Extras (4.5/5)

This Criterion release also comes with some fantastic extras. First up is a 1983 Press Conference featuring Bresson and the Cast. The picture is a little rough, but the insight into the film is refreshing and worth a few watches. The main extra is a 50-minute video essay called “L’ARGENT A to Z”. The piece is hosted by film scholar James Quandt, and every segment is packed with trivia about Bresson’s whole career. The Theatrical trailer is also included. Wrapping up the package is the usual Criterion booklet of liner notes. Here we get another interview with Bresson and an essay by critic Adrian Martin.

Overall (4/5)

L’ARGENT is a cold and almost bitter movie, that shows the evils of greed. Bresson ends his career with a visual tour de force and one I’m already to watch again. The good folks at Criterion have given this film the master treatment with an out of this world transfer and some exciting extras. For Bresson fans it’s a must have. Highly Recommended.