Louis Malle

CHICAGO – The Criterion Collection recently inducted two of beloved French filmmaker Louis Malle’s most surreal works, a great double feature given their thematic commonalities and the chance to view how a notorious director changed and challenged himself at two distinctly different points in his career. Neither are among Malle’s best work, but both films feature something most modern directors for hire don’t have the chance to do — playing with the limits of the form and their own ability. Both “Zazie Dans Le Metro” and “Black Moon” are now available on Criterion Blu-ray and DVD.

CHICAGO – It’s difficult to find a thematic trilogy with a conclusion as triumphant and potent as “Au Revoir Les Enfants.” The 1987 fact-based drama emerged as one of the great masterpieces in the career of Louis Malle, a giant of the French New Wave perhaps best known for his intimate two-character piece, 1981’s “My Dinner With Andre.” His films possess a purity and authenticity unmatched by many of his peers.

CHICAGO – I have to admit to having more respect for “My Dinner With Andre” than getting actual enjoyment from the talkative film itself. I understand the praise and awards that the film won and can see how it would have sent a ripple through the art movie world in 1981 when it was released, but I’ve never been a fan of Wallace Shawn, Andre Gregory, and Louis Malle’s film that brings new meaning to the phrase “dialogue-based”.