The setting?
Such an interesting and atmospheric flick, but to me, it just looked like present-day Paris. Is it set in some sort of alternate universe, like what was on Star Trek one time?
shareLike much intelligent sci-fi, Alphaville adopts an aesthetic which avoids the futuristic as much as possible for several reasons. Firstly, every "futuristic" rendering of the future is ironically doomed to look outdated and unrealistic in a few years, seriously shortening the shelf-life of a film. Using tried and true fashions and styles takes away this risk. Secondly, making the aesthetic a classic one allows the audience to focus more on the ideas and philosophies of the film , without the distraction of flashy gadgets and special effects. Thirdly it makes the actual content of the film closer to home for the audience, not the intergalactic adventures of Captain Fantabulous and his Rocket Armadillo, but the story of real people in a world not unlike our own, one we can relate to.
Personally I'm a real sucker for films that try and recall the style of the 20's-50's. In science fiction I think it is an excellent choice to make, as the borrowing of this aesthetic automatically moves the technology and gadgetry that suffocate most Sci-Fi to the the background, allowing the films to explore more interesting subjects. Gattaca, Brazil, Blade Runner, Alphaville and Delicatessen all do this, and the results are some of my favorite films.
Top 4: The Royal Tenenbaums, In The Mood For Love, Lawrence of Arabia, The Third Man
Last Seen: The Fallen Idol (9/10)
These may be good sound reasons but the initial concept spawned from Godard's lack of budget and funds. As true as those all are, it was simply a monetary cause and effect. In regards to Blade Runner...its a film noir nod, its not to put the 'sci-fi in the background'. Blade Runner also had tons of very dated looking fashion ideas (plastic coats?) and silly gadgets and weapons. Gattaca simply depicted the future as being a conservative repeat of the 20s or 30s, which tied into the plot – not used to, again, 'sci-f in the background'. Brazil...did you see the same Brazil? It was completely Captain Fantabulous. Gilliam + Scifi + a timeless setting. And to summarize, ALL of those films look dated to me. Alphaville looks dated simply because it IS dated. I think you are looking too much into this. Dark City, City of Lost Children. Look at the style of dress and architecture in these. I am not sure the gadgetry in Star Wars suffocated it anymore than had they been in a Millennium Falcon which looked like a Volkswagen Beetle. The 5th Element, though not very thick in substance, is not very confusing to behold with all of its gadgets and effects, however it has a very beautiful and original scifi aesthetic.
shareI'm thinking the Mustang Lemy Caution drove was a 1964 1/2, because the movie was released in 1965. Rather unusual to have that kind of car in Paris.
share[deleted]
I'm going with my original concept that the movie is in an "alternate universe", or hell just another planet.
And how many American men can speak French fluently and be just as nasty and unfriendly as the French as he was in this? LOL! Kudos to Eddie Constantine!
Also, I think the use of lighting and the music were pure genius. I treated this film more or less like it was a combination of 1984 or Eraserhead. Just don't think about it so much and accept as is