MovieChat Forums > Masculin féminin (1966) Discussion > *Spoilers* Curtain Rod?

Spoilers Curtain Rod?

posted 17 years ago by Xuesheng
12 replies | jump to latest

I'm talking about the final lines, of course. I had assumed at the time I watched it that it was a cold, heartless answer because she was thinking of putting up a curtain rod up on the window Paul fell from. In other words, she was thinking of the place, making it safer and more homey, rather than the tragedy itself.

One of the commenters on the DVD, however, suggested that it was a method for back-alley abortions. In other words, she is going to have an abortion now that Paul is dead.

Any thoughts on which interpretation is best? Or is it something else?

[–] accouto 17 years ago

When I watched that scene i assumed that it was a method of abortion...

Edit:

I've just watched the extras from the criterion edition and it confirmed that the curtain rod was to force an abortion.
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[–] kriege10 17 years ago

No, it is an answer to what she was planning to do with his baby (abortion).

[–] bainen 17 years ago

When asked what she plans to do now that she is alone and pregnant she responds "curtain rod" i.e. get an abortion.

[–] jamesgaus 17 years ago

There is an interview in the extras with the actress from 2005, and she reveals the director told her to say that via an earphone. It was all Godard.

It was definitely a crude and cold reference to abortion. This is one of the reasons the film was given the equivalent to an NC-17 rating when it was released, even though there is no nudity, only a few obscenties, and 2 semi-graphic instances of violence. This would be PG-13 if released today...

[–] JaneSchmo 17 years ago

I immediatly assumed she was talking about a self-induced abortion.

The way she answers the question reflects her immaturity and naivette about sex.

She doesn't even say "I think I'm going to have an abortion" when asked about the baby, she says "My friend told me a curtain rod works to get it out."

[–] Heybartender 16 years ago

I agree. Like the technicalities of the situation are the most pressing matter.

Her?

[–] JaneSchmo 16 years ago

I know- she can't even talk about her abortion without sounding 10 years old.

[–] kriege10 16 years ago

Yes, but she is gorgeous.

[–] the_marble_faun 16 years ago

it seems obvious to me shes referring to abortion.

[–] Trouter2000 16 years ago

I thought it was a reference to abortion, which immediately left me with a sense of horror, especially after seeing a relatively upbeat film.

Godard tends to do that, he applies cynicism and satire in his plots, without a whole lot of dark subject matter, then all of the sudden pulls tragedy out of a hat. Its something unique to him in a lot of ways.

Last film seen: Pierrot le Fou 9/10

[–] TheCinephiliac 15 years ago

I didn't see the film being upbeat at all so to me when she mentioned the curtain rod it fit the tone of the film. The whole film is a commentary to war, social injustice, and politics. There were bouts of brutality from the entire film from the woman who shot her husband, to the discussion of the holocaust, to the murder of the black man, to the man who set himself on fire in opposition to the war.

The entire film was a dark subject matter.

RIP Paul Newman 1925-2008. Words can't express how much you will be missed.

[–] Kammurabi 12 years ago

In my opinion the curtain rod is the last death in the film, the one to close the picture. But you are left not sure whether it will actually happen.

By last death, I am referring to the 5 death scenes which punctuate the end of five scenes in the film.

Paul was the fifth but perhaps curtain rod abortion is really the last one. Or not. I just think there is more going on in the scene than just a sinister reference to what Madeleine's cool indifference may lead to.

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