All the Boys Are Called Patrick (Charlotte et Véronique, ou Tous les garçons s’appellent Patrick)
Directed by Jean-Luc Godard
Written by Eric Rohmer
1959/France
Les Films de Peliade
First viewing/FilmStruck
[box] Charlotte: We went to that cafe by the bus stop. I gave him a hard time. You have to be mean to men. Keeps ’em on their toes.[/box]
Screenwriter Erich Rohmer brings his characteristic charm to this early Godard short.
Close friends Charlotte and Veronique plan to meet at the park between two and three in the afternoon. Veronique arrives after Charlotte leaves. Thus both are available to be chatted up by a persistent young ladies’ man, Patrick (Jean-Claude Brialy). When the women finally meet up, each sings her man’s praises to the other.
This is slight and sweet. I’m not a huge Godard fan but I do love Rohmer and his take on relationships. There are some nice early New Wave images as well.
The complete 21-minute film is currently available on YouTube.
