Betty Blue (Unrated Director's Cut) [DVD]

I watched this film at nineteen years-old just a few years after its release. Offhand thoughts on a 25 year revisit of the film by one who had some identification with the Betty character in youth (contains some spoilers):Character of Dalle as Betty still holds, Femme Fatale Woman-Child who is lost, mercifully found and ultimately lost living out the trajectory of a fateful life. Symptoms bear likeness to a Borderline Personality rather than the viewer speculations of Bipolar Disorder Schizophrenia or the catch-all of "insanity". From a character perspective what was more poignant to me in this second viewing is the character of her lover, Zorg, Betty's lover (played with adept beautyby Anglade). At Betty's obsession with trying to get his novel published to an indifferent world, he takes alternative routes when it is u accepted. He attempts "publish" it with new scenery to call home, a possible baby, stolen money- all to save her from herself. The most poignant scene for me is after Betty finds she is not pregnant, no child, no new life within. She sits hair chopped, bright lipstick drawn and smudged, face powdered like a tragic clown. The viewer feels like a voyeur watching Zorg watch her. He drinks in the scene slowly and fully, finally doing the most selfless thing he can think to do. He slowly and absolutely pours brightly colored thick soup through his hair and face, her clown face matching his as he breaks himself to counter her alienation. The arc of the film leads the viewer to see the last scene between the two as the ultimate gift a lover can give such a circumstances. Zorg arrives at a hospital to see Betty after she has plucked out an eye, unable to handle seeing through two any longer into a world that shines brighter and burns hotter than what most see. When the nurse asks if he is her husband or relative he answers, "No, I am everything else." As she lie in a hospital deemed insane by doctors, he realizes that he can no longer save her but that, "nothing can tear them apart". He straps her tightly within the straightjacket binding her and smothers with her pillow. Her final kicks of resistance seem a courageous last effort to counter the forces she has struggled to survive through life.Regardless of liking the film or not, recurrent piano melody with inevitably haunt anyone who has watched. Within the first few familiar notes a sirens call emerges drawing one to continue watching even if wishing to stop. It lulls one into their blue ocean; slightly off kilter notes feel like a sailboats choppy clip through a breezy waters as seductive as Betty is at the films opening when she shamelessly inserts herself into Zorgs world.Jean-Jacques Bieniex direction is classic cinéma du luc which dominated French film-making of the 1980's. For those who wish to see sweeping non-naturalistic photography of a beautiful era in France which harbors these two gorgeously developed lost souls then watch!!!The film was nominated for a BAFTA and Best Foreign Laungauge Oscar in 1986.It is well worth languishing in its three-hour run time and, as for me 25 years later, it won't be forgotten.

Five stars for the movie - ZERO STARS FOR THE CENSORSHIP!I decided to give 5 stars only not to have this caution relegated to the end of the line and thus hidden from cinephiles.The Korean import which purports to be the "director's cut" is actually HEAVILY CENSORED by "modesty blurs" whenever there is frontal nudity. One would think the movie had been edited for Francoist Spain of the 1960s. Some prudish and arrogant censors decided to interfere with Jean-Jacques Beneix's creation and plastered it with pasties! The sorry result is obviously not what Jean-Jacques Beneix had in mind but what the South Korean government allows you to see. So, there you are: a free citizen in a free country whose viewing freedom is limited by the diktats of a foreign government.This is no longer the director's cut but the CENSOR'S CUT! On and on, one has to suffer the censor's interferences: a third party that keeps intruding into your viewing experience to impose his values, to decide what's best for you. An absolutely unbearable experience.According to Wikipedia's article "Film censorship in South Korea," such practices are routine official policy: "In recent years, sexual scenes have been a major issue that pits filmmakers against Media Rating Board. Pubic hair and male or female genitalia is disallowed on the screen, unless they are digitally blurred."THIS IS A MUTILATED MOVIE! Shame on the state censorship that perpetrated this atrocity!Moreover, the following "Special Features": "Synopsis", "Cast & Crew biographies", "Director's Interview (text)" are all in the Korean language and useless to most viewers.These unacceptable flaws lead me to be wary of all Korean imports.

I cannot add to the other reviews for this film, but I wish to touch upon a few points.1. Ms. Dalle is a very attractive woman, but it was her acting that made the role.2. Her descent into madness was "noted." Remember when Zorg said to Betty, "What are these pills?" She answered, "Something I take sometimes." Gang, after several viewings, I had concluded that "those pills" were her schizophrenia medication. Furthermore, when Zorg found her in the bathroom and literally had to "call her back" from her trance - she said, "I hear voices." We that have seen the movie find out what that means later on.Loving someone like Betty Blue would have an effect on any sane man. I know, I had a Betty Blue in my life from my late teens to my early 20's. So, unfortunately, I could relate (sigh) to Zorg's character (though I didn't agree with his final solution to her problem). Still, I enjoyed this film, and I can watch it over and over again. Four stars!

as always great movie by for adults only

Ce DVD vient enrichir ma collection de films de répertoire 😊

Bel Film

I've always found French Cinema to be far more entertaining than the majority of films from hollywood. Betty Blue is a prime example.Its so modern but hard to believe its 37 years old. I dont speak the language but I get it. The drama & humour are infectious. I saw this film upon release & its stayed with me ever since along with''The Unbearable Lightness of Being'' I've yet to find anything to better such romantic heartbreaking drama as these two films. People generally turn away from subtitled films which is a shame. I'd choose french, German & Korean cinema over Hollywood all day long. More broadminded and less hampered by censorship, raw and honest. Beatrice Dalle's performance is mesmerising as is that of Zorg played by Jean-Hugues AngladeA magical but wild romance that tests the strong bond between them. A must see movie.

この映画を最初に見たのは高校生の時。今から20年前以上。純粋な愛に憧れていた女子高生の自分。観るなり相当なショックを受けたのは言うまでもなく。VHSテープを買って何度も見たなぁ。親に隠れてだけど（笑）。暮れなずむコテージ。なんともお洒落な響きのフランス語。哀愁を誘うサックスの音。最初は軽い気持ちで付き合ったんだろうと思われるんだが、エキセントリックだけど憎めないベティにどんどん惹かれていき、終盤に行くに従って、これでもかという程、一途な愛を示すゾーグ。映像美も相まって、本当に傑作だと思います。ラストは悲しいけれど、死してなお、ゾーグの中に生き続けるベティ。永遠に美しいまま、記憶の中に生き続けるんでしょう。本当にこれほどまで私に衝撃を与えた映画は他にないです。インテグラルがやっぱりいいかな。ベティとゾーグのこの世界にどっぷりはまっていられる時間が長いから。観たことがない方は、衝撃を受けかねないので覚悟の上でご鑑賞ください（笑）。そしていきなりすごいシーンから始まるので、最初の部分はボリュームは下げてご鑑賞ください（笑）。

Great acting and iconic French movie, loved the soundtrack!!!