Classic of French New Wave

The 400 Blows is as perfect a movie as you will ever see. Francois Truffaut's first film, also regarded as the first film of the French New Wave, showcases his mastery of the medium. As the story is loosely autobiographical, and Truffaut identified deeply with its main character, the acting is accurate and honest. The plot tackles issues from generalized adolescent angst to feelings of alienation, loneliness, and the longing for freedom in a confining world. Though the story is about a troubled boy searching for the place he belongs amidst an array of adults who all seem to be out to get him, the emotions expressed within the film are universal. This film is a classic, and anyone who has not yet seen it is missing out.