Watch Gang of Four

Gang of Four is a 1989 French dramatic film directed by Jacques Rivette, recognized for his contribution to the influential French New Wave cinema movement. The movie explores the intertwining lives and relationships of a group of young women living in Paris, who are all students of the same acting class under the guidance of a mysterious and charismatic drama teacher. The film stars Laurence Cote, Bernadette Giraud, Bulle Ogier, Ines Medeiros, and Nathalie Richard in pivotal roles.

In the film, we're steadily introduced to the four young women and the dynamics that set their story. The group consists of Anna, Joyce, Claude, and Lucia. They share a house on the outskirts of Paris, fostering a seemingly harmonious and supportive living environment shrouded in intellectualism and a passion for the dramatic arts. Together, they navigate the challenges of their personal lives and ambitions while being guided by their drama teacher, Constance Dumas, portrayed by Bulle Ogier, who both influences and usurps their individual and collective narratives.

Constance is a figure of great fascination and inspiration to her students. She plays a critical role not only in instructing them in the dramatic arts but also in subtly impacting the fabric of their personal and emotional lives. Her methods, steeped in the discipline of the theatre, are at times enigmatic and unconventional, leading the students to adopt perspectives and behaviors that bleed into their off-stage lives. This dynamic becomes a central thread in the film, examining the nature of performance and reality.

Anna, portrayed by Laurence Cote, is painted as an intelligent yet undeniably complex character who often serves as the anchor to the group's bond. Her backstory is teased out slowly throughout the film, and audiences are left to puzzle out her true motivations and the essence of her character. Joyce, another integral figure among the four, is shown to be thoughtful and inward-looking, contrasting with the more outward and assertive personalities within the house. Claude, brought to life by Bernadette Giraud, offers a snap of energy and ambition that drives a significant portion of the tension within the group. Lastly, Lucia, depicted by Ines Medeiros, plays a role that complements and reacts to the emotional tapestries woven by her housemates, as each personality enriches the shared story.

The acting class serves as a microcosm for the world outside, with Constance's teachings reflecting and shaping the views and actions of her disciples. Throughout the movie, the lines between their personal identities, their roles within the class, and their interactions with wider society become increasingly blurred as alleys of the plot. They navigate these spaces, seeking love, companionship, professional success, and understanding of their craft and selves.

The film is laden with Rivette's signature style; it's an intricate exploration of character and narrative, thriving on improvisation and building a delicate web of alliances and betrayals. The pacing is deliberate and unhurried, allowing the audience to immerse themselves deeply in the psyches of the protagonists. The narrative structure allows room for interpretation, rather than serving up neatly packaged resolutions, which is highly characteristic of Rivette’s approach to storytelling.

The cinematography complements the story's intricacy by capturing the Bohemian atmosphere of the French capital, the naturalistic expressions of the characters, and the often claustrophobic quarters of their shared home. The scenes set during the acting class are particularly revealing, providing a raw and intimate look at the characters' vulnerabilities as they perform and critique each other's work under the watchful and influential eye of their mentor.

As the movie progresses, the women's lives become increasingly complex, with hints of political intrigue and personal drama that tests the strength of their solidarity. Underneath the surface of their day-to-day interactions, an undercurrent of suspense simmers, fueled by the outside forces pressing in on their once-contained sanctuary.

Gang of Four excels in its exploration of themes such as the search for identity, the power dynamics of pedagogy, the nature of performance versus authenticity, and the way in which our roles in life can sometimes overtake our personal truths. It celebrates the life of an artist, the bonds of friendship, and the intimate warfare of theater as life.

In this regard, Gang of Four is a movie that requires and rewards attentive viewing, offering a deep dive into the psyche of its characters and asking the audience to engage with its quiet complexity and the interplay between art, life, and illusion. It stands as a thoughtful piece of cinema that would appeal to enthusiasts of French film and connoisseurs of nuanced, character-driven narratives.

Gang of Four is a 1989 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 42 minutes.