For Ever Mozart (DVD)

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Nobody comes out smelling like a rose in "For Ever Mozart." Actors, directors, producers, rebels, even movie-goers; everyone is an uncultured fool, an intellectual snob or a cold-blooded killer. Most of them are some combination of the three. The film provides little sense of hope, making for an interesting comparison with Godard´s vastly superior "Notre Musique" (2004) which is also set in Sarajevo. In that film, Godard at least offers some reason for optimism; in "For Ever Mozart," he can only express his sense of total helplessness.

Godard has often been accused of aloof, sterile intellectualism. The general consensus: He used to be great, but he just gave up after "Weekend" (1967); now he only speaks to himself. I disagree. Godard has made many of his most exciting and stimulating films in the 1980s and 1990s. I number "Passion" (1982), "King Lear" (1987), "Germany Year 90 Nine Zero" (1991), and "Notre Musique" (2004) among his very best films.

But the charges are accurate when levied against "For Ever Mozart" which seems like little more then intellectual masturbation. There are some lovely images, and, as always, Godard´s audio work (esp. the music) is stellar, but the film is cold and uninspiring. The only message Godard conveys, if there is one at all, is that we are all truly rotten bastards. Every Godard film is worth watching, but most others are more worthwhile than this one.

Video

The film is presented in a 16:9 aspect ratio. The picture quality is generally good, though there is just a hint of digital flicker in some scenes.

Audio

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital stereo. The piercing piano score is crisply recorded, and I didn´t detect any other problems with the audio transfer. Optional English subtitles support the French audio.

Extras

None.

Closing Thoughts

I´m not endorsing "For Ever Mozart", but I reserve the right to change my mind at a later date. Godard´s films tend to change with repeat viewing, and I have switched my opinion on several of his films (always for the better) after seeing them a second or third time. The first time I saw "Contempt" (1963) I thought it was a hopeless mess; now it´s one of my favorite films. Maybe that will happen with "For Ever Mozart" as well. But for now, much like the characters in the film, I´m not holding out much hope.

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