Betty Blue Film Diary

The last French film I watched was Jean-Jaqcues Beineix's Betty Blue. This romantic drama is based on the novel by Philippe Djian and was nominated for an oscar in 1987 for Best Foreign Language Film. Zorg lives by the shore in France. He is very handy and maintains bungalows that are part of a small resort. He writes in his spare time but has failed at becoming a novelist. His life by the shore is quiet and peaceful, until Betty walks into his life. Betty has lost her job as a waitress and Zorg feels bad for her. He falls for her beauty and she moves in with him in a house provided by his employer. It is here that Zorg begins seeing Betty's unpredictable behavior. She even has violent mood swings at times and never seems to be content with the present events in her life. She encourages Zorg to get his novel published and becomes obsessed with the idea to the point where Zorg begins to see the unstability of her sanity. Zorg loses his job after a feud with his boss, causing the couple to to move in with Betty's friend Lisa, who owns a hotel. Betty begins losing her mind after seeing all the rejection slips for the possible publication of Zorg's novel. The letters are harsh, calling the novel a "nauseating flower". Betty's history of psychological problems shines through as she steadily declines and goes on a rampage. Zorg is watching the woman he has fallen so deeply in love with, go completely insane. Despite thier passionate and erotic love for one another, Zorg is unable to save her from her borderline psychological disorder.

This film is about love and responsibility. Zorg's relationship with Betty becomes a great challenge for him. He doesn't give up on their love because she is the best thing that has ever happened to him. He commits himself to protect her.

Betty Blue is a long film. There is a good mix of drama, with some comic relief, and strong eroticism. Jean-Jaqcues Beineix put a lot of nudity in the movie which seems unecessary at times because of it's possibilty to divert the viewers attention and outlook on the film. The story is much more serious and depressing for any thought-provoking interuptions. There is a sense of hope in this movie, that will never come.