Movies

Giving cinematic life to Lionel Whites novel obsession, Jean-Luc Godards Pierrot le Fou is an interesting example of film as a visual art representing the artistic and social developments of its time, pop art. There are numerous cultural and social references which was essential in establishing the significance of pop culture to the story. Together with the vivid imagery of film, creates a high degree of accessibility and popular appeal. Ferdinand Griffon, one of the films main characters, for example represent asocial clich of a man who after suffering a sudden professional crisis, abandons his family to pursue his baby-sitter and ex-girlfriend, Marianne Renoir.  Many of the key events in the story are accentuated by cartoon comedic references scenes cutting into fireworks when a pie is thrown or in the finale of the film when Ferdinand is blown up by the dynamite ne lighted. In peppering the film with vibrant imagery and often fantastical, even farcial, situations, Godard suggests that Ferdinands moral and psychological descent stemmed from his removal from reality because of being too immersed with triviality. Without creating such visual sequences, Godard would not have been able to communicate effectively the growing internal conflict the Ferdinand was experiencing. In a similar manner, the almost lurid colors used in the film, particularly the clothing of the characters, creates a significant reaction in audiences which evolves in the course of the film.  Ultimately, there is need to consider that the cinematography of the film is critical in the films narrative not just for entertainment value, but most importantly, but also for developing artistic relevance of the work of artists.