There’s something so oddly satisfying about watching long-takes of a person drive from over the shoulders. I can’t explain it, but it’s hella soothing.
It’s ludicrous how easy it is to become invested in someone’s life just by witnessing a few minutes of it—a supplement to Cléo from 5 to 7’s dazzling effect. It’s even more ludicrous, however, to realize how much two hours of a woman’s daily life can say about the world we live in. Agnès Varda’s career-defining highlight is infinitely beyond one of the greatest works of feminist cinema out there, and a testimony to that can be spotted in its uncanny drive to uncover the internal struggles and desires of an ideal-obsessed individual.
On top of that, the camera movements and editing choices in Cléo From 5 to 7 are insanely wicked! Not only are they far ahead of their time, but they imposingly emphasize the crux of the situations occurring on screen. Very neat stuff.
Verdict: A-
“Cléo From 5 to 7” is now available to stream on The Criterion Channel.
Burning the Celluloid 
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