Is this a joke?

I would understand why you would such a view and I don't really think you're stupid to think so. But then, Godard never wanted everyone to love and admire (and look for the depth like you said) in all his work - or that's how I would hypothesize.

This is a remarkable effort to make us think how Nana takes her journey to prostitution and how her confidence to be in films slowly traverse into something more real. The 12 chapters show the development of her fate. I loved how Raul was introduced, for instance and many other minute turning points in her life. Each chapter is a stepping stone to her end. I would recommend you re-visit the philosophy discussion with the old man at the cafe if you have any interest to give Godard's his due & fair respect for this work. If nothing works, don't you admire the photography, the beautifully placed jumpcuts (The shooting scene), impressively deductive editing?

At times, you really don't have to look for deep meanings. Vivre Se Vie is not a deep film as that seems to be your disappointment. but it's not quite. Its beautiful nonetheless.

I personally loved it. I wouldn't call it Godard's best but its definitely satisfying for me. Beautiful work, and Anna Karina was stunning and extremely impressive.

Yes

I felt pretty dumb watching this movie. I just kept thinking, "what am I missing here?" That feeling lasted all the way to the end.

I think the camera techniques and detached acting that everybody loves about the movie just took me completely out of it. Everything felt forced and confusing.

Very pretentious. That scene where's she asking the guy several questions about being a prostitute... his answers are like Godard just copied something out of a high school text book.

That balloon blowing scene was like something out of an Adam Sandler movie.

And that ending was very poorly done and a cheap attempt at creating drama.

Those three scenes aside, the movie was enjoyable, but still a 5/10.

5 minutes in, yeah I was thinking its another one of those boring arty ones. But the lead actress was just so gorgeous, I had no probs watching her for 80 minutes. I wanted to find out what happened her in what turned out to be a shock ending.
And just found out now, its one of the films in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die book. So another one notched off.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpvcfv5FjfE&feature=related

I don't know.