Le Plaisir des Yeux

Le Plaisir des Yeux is a collection of film criticism and personal reflections written by French New Wave director François Truffaut. Published in 1975, the book compiles reviews, essays, and observations from Truffaut's years as both a film critic and filmmaker. The text focuses on directors and films that shaped Truffaut's cinematic vision, including extensive commentary on Alfred Hitchcock, Jean Renoir, and Roberto Rossellini. Truffaut examines specific scenes and techniques while connecting them to broader developments in film history and theory. Beyond pure criticism, Truffaut interweaves memories from his own experiences in cinema - from his early days watching films obsessively in Paris theaters to his transition from critic to director. His dual perspective as both analyst and creator informs his technical insights and appreciation of the medium. The book stands as a document of both film history and artistic development, revealing how the viewing and making of movies can become deeply intertwined acts of creation and interpretation. Through Truffaut's eyes, cinema emerges as both an art form and a lens for understanding human nature.

Readers view this collection of Truffaut's film criticism and personal essays as offering intimate insights into his perspectives on cinema and fellow directors. Multiple reviews highlight how his writing reveals his evolution from critic to filmmaker. Readers appreciated: - Personal anecdotes about interactions with directors like Hitchcock - Clear explanations of his approach to filmmaking - Detailed analysis of specific scenes and techniques - Conversational, accessible writing style Common criticisms: - Some essays feel dated or tied to specific 1970s context - A few readers found his film analyses too technical - Limited availability of English translations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (246 ratings) Babelio: 4.1/5 (28 ratings) Notable reader comment from Goodreads: "Reading Truffaut's criticism helps you understand not just the films he's writing about, but how he developed his own directorial style. His passion for cinema comes through on every page."

Notes on the Cinematograph by Robert Bresson A director's personal reflection on film theory, technique, and the essence of cinema through fragmentary observations and practical insights.

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet A master filmmaker shares his practical knowledge of cinema, from working with actors to the technical aspects of film production.

What is Cinema? by André Bazin A collection of essays examining the fundamental nature of film as an art form through theoretical and critical analysis.

Sculpting in Time by Andrei Tarkovsky A filmmaker's meditation on cinema as art, exploring the relationship between time, memory, and visual storytelling.

The Cinema of Poetry by Pier Paolo Pasolini A series of writings that connect film theory with practice through the lens of a director's experience and philosophical perspective.

🎬 "Le Plaisir des Yeux" ("The Pleasure of the Eyes") is a collection of Truffaut's writings about cinema published posthumously in 1987, three years after his death. 📽️ Before becoming a celebrated filmmaker, Truffaut was a prolific film critic for Cahiers du Cinéma, where he famously wrote the scathing essay "A Certain Tendency of French Cinema." 🎯 The book reveals Truffaut's deep admiration for Alfred Hitchcock, whom he interviewed extensively for his other famous book "Hitchcock/Truffaut" (1966). 🌟 Many of the essays in the collection showcase Truffaut's role as a pioneer of the French New Wave movement, which revolutionized filmmaking in the 1950s and 1960s. 📚 The writings demonstrate Truffaut's unique perspective as both a critic and filmmaker, offering insights into classics like "Citizen Kane" and the works of Jean Renoir while also reflecting on his own films.