***½
The incredible journey's of Truffaut's alter ego Antoine Doinel are always fun to watch but is it new wave style or just Truffaut's own, the narration of the Doinel-movies is challenging to say the least. Some may like that viewers are left to determine what has happened (as it is quite obvious too) but Truffaut skips sections quite a lot.
That and the charming acting of Jean-Pierre Leaud, mr. New Wave, make Stolen Kisses enjoyable in their own right. Quircky dialogues and eccentric behavior of the main characters enlightens the tone of the movie that in general is somewhat filled with pity - Doinel, dismissed from the army, runs from job to job, and can't get the love from the ex. Nevertheless, Truffaut's ultimately child-like and positive outtake on life makes Stolen Kisses unique and contemporary directors - like Jeaunet - owing a lot to him. Still, there's a feeling that something is missing and can't exactly pinpoint what it is. Or maybe that's just excellent movie making showing the feelings of growing up.
Oh, and if there should be only one reason to watch this movie, that would be the scene in the bathroom where Doinel repeats his own name and the names of the ones he loves, or thinks he loves, over and over again. So intense and what a great concentration!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p2ej4onSFA
