In terms of storytelling, It is hard to judge Wild Child outside the terms of the Cinema Verite system in which it operates.
It is a simple and very literal film, and like all French new wave films, the story is more of a train of thought than a compelling narrative.
At least is not flat out cold. there are enough moments of charm and insight to make Wild Child watchable. Truffaut's performance is not warm or fuzzy. He is frank and sincere and logical. It could be argued that his representation of good parenting is the film's biggest accomplish. He doesn't pander to his child's every need but he abandon him or resort to heavy abuse to fortify him.
The biggest problem is that there is no ending, and subsequently no punchline. The themes of bringing civilization to the uncivilized have no visible consequences that can be related to. Truffaut teaches the Wild Child simple lessons such as right and wrong but nothing of love, or caring. He succeeds in taming a vulnerable creature but falls short of making him a human being.
It is a simple and very literal film, and like all French new wave films, the story is more of a train of thought than a compelling narrative.
At least is not flat out cold. there are enough moments of charm and insight to make Wild Child watchable. Truffaut's performance is not warm or fuzzy. He is frank and sincere and logical. It could be argued that his representation of good parenting is the film's biggest accomplish. He doesn't pander to his child's every need but he abandon him or resort to heavy abuse to fortify him.
The biggest problem is that there is no ending, and subsequently no punchline. The themes of bringing civilization to the uncivilized have no visible consequences that can be related to. Truffaut teaches the Wild Child simple lessons such as right and wrong but nothing of love, or caring. He succeeds in taming a vulnerable creature but falls short of making him a human being.