QWhat is the significance of Michel rubbing his lips with his thumb?
AIt is widely held that Michel is only an "acting thug", basically an imitation modeled after the thugs portrayed in the noir films on the 30's by the likes of Humphrey Bogart.In the Rutgers publication about this movie, it said that Humphrey Bogart had a natural tick that consisted of him running his thumb over his lips. This action doesn't come from any particular movie or role, but from Bogart himself. In this context, Godard uses the thumb/lip rub as an acknowledgment of the iconography of Bogart and the hard-boiled gangster noir associated with him.
QWhat does it mean when Michel makes those three faces: open mouth, big smile, frown?
AIn the subtitles of the Fox Lorber edition DVD, Michel calls the three faces, "playing sour apples".In the continuity script published by Rutgers, it is translated as, to "make a face".By making these faces, Michel is mocking her for being dramatic, basically saying "You complain too much", or "Don't act so sad". The phrase "playing sour apples" seems to imply that she is only pretending to be sad, or trying to force herself to be sad. When he makes the faces as he dies, it could be seen as his way of forgiving her and telling her not to be sad; sort of a farewell, "keep your chin up", kind of thing.
QWho did the movie's soundtrack? Is it available to buy?
AThe soundtrack was done by Martial Solal, who collaborated with Godard only this one time in his career. It is available to buy on Amazon.com.http://www.amazon.com/Bout-Souffle-Martial-Solal/dp/B000069LE7/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1204492107&sr=8-3
Share this
