I noticed numerous similarities between this film and Terrence Malick's 1973 classic, Badlands. Not only the obvious similarity in the lovers-on-the-lam story, but the style, the humour, and some of the scenes: running through forests; walking through rivers. Anyone else believe Malick was heavily influenced by this film?
shareinteresting enough, they were both great influences to Tarantino
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yeah, i also noticed some similarities (in the plot) - but: what looked beautiful and amazing in badlands, was very artificial and stupid in pierrot le fou. actually I hated the movie (pierrot le fou, I mean; badlands is my favourite film).
i don't know, it's hard for me to believe that malick could have been influenced by this film.
I can see the similarities, though I think "Badlands" is less expressionistic.
A film that crossed my mind while watching this is Michelangelo Antonioni's "The Passenger." Both films involve a man who wants to escape his "boring life," who goes on a journey with a beautiful mysterious brunette, and a dangerous mix up with arms trafficking.
Tonally as well as thematically, Badlands is nothing like Pierrot Le Fou... and I wouldn´t say Malick ever was "heavily" influenced by anyone - he´s always had his own unique & idiosyncratic thing going on.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
As I was watching I thought of:
Badlands
Days of Heaven
Bonnie and Clyde (The entire time I was saying this is Bonnie and Clyde before Bonnie and Clyde, this is the French Bonnie and Clyde; I like this Bonnie and Clyde better---and therefore I like Pierrot le Fou better than Bonnie and Clyde.)
and even True Romance
Also Willy Wonka for some of the house-set designs: White walls, highlightivly overt decortive pieces. And everything was very diagramal.
If Sandra Bullock can win an Oscar for 'The Blind Side' then ... ANYTHING ... is possible!
What about Gun Crazy?
"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino
Yes it has a similar adolescent exuberance about it. A sort of carefree joyfulness despite the distinctly dark side present in both movies. I love both films, just discovered Pierrot Le Fou , watched it twice in quick succession and could easily watch it again right now. It really struck a chord somewhere. It's mad, it's silly, it's flawed but it's just so enjoyable! And the chemistry between Karina and Belmondo is wonderful. Great film. Likewise BADLANDS, one of my all time top three.
shareThis film also made me think of another Belmondo film, that one by Truffaut, with Catherine Deneuve, which was Mississippi Mermaid. Actually only the last third or half, where they also were on the run.
I agree with the person who also referred to Antonioni's The Passenger. Similar to be sure.
yeah i also thought of Badlands while watching this
so many movies, so little time