Watch Trans-Europe Express

Trans-Europe Express is a 1966 French drama film directed by Alain Robbe-Grillet. The film stars Jean-Louis Trintignan and Marie-France Pisier in lead roles. Trans-Europe Express is a story that follows a film director named Elias who is traveling from Paris to Antwerp by train, to work on his next film. He is accompanied by his assistant, Marie who is also a scriptwriter. During their journey, they meet a woman named Anna, who seems to know Elias from the past. As they travel towards Antwerp, strange things begin to happen, and slowly it becomes apparent that reality and fantasy blend together.

The film starts with a shot of a train arriving at the station, and soon we see Elias and Marie on the train. They are discussing their new film, which is a crime thriller, and Elias is trying to convince Marie to add some surreal elements in it to make it more interesting. Marie is not very convinced with Elias's idea and argues that realism is more significant in films.

As the train moves forward, we see Elias and Marie flirting with each other, and Elias seems to be taking advantage of his assistant. But soon the film takes a twist, and we are introduced to Anna, a mysterious woman on the train who seems to know Elias from the past. As the three have a conversation, it becomes clear that Anna is a part of the film Elias is working on, and everything is not as it seems.

The film’s pace picks up very quickly as the surreal and dream-like elements take over. The plot becomes more intricate as characters merge into hallucinatory duplications. As the movie progresses, we are taken through twists and turns of dream sequences, flashbacks, and real-time events. Elias balances between reality and plot, and the viewer is left trying to disentangle the story’s structure.

The scenes inside the train are very claustrophobic, with a limited number of passengers cooped up in one place. The camera angles are close and tight, adding to the uncomfortable feeling that something terrible is going to happen soon. The sound design is also really well executed, with background noise of the train chugging along, creating a sense of suspense.

Apart from the story, the film is famous for its experimental techniques, with the director using different camera angles, lighting, and sound design to create an eerie atmosphere. The film is a commentary on the cinema itself and the process of creating a movie. The film is also an exploration of identity and desire, and the complicated relationships between characters border on the surreal.

The performances by the lead actors are fantastic, and they bring a sense of mystery and uncertainty to their roles. Jean-Louis Trintignant, who plays Elias, portrays his character with a cool detachment, which adds to his character's enigma. Marie-France Pisier, who plays Marie, brings a natural beauty and grace to her character, and portrays her with subtlety and nuance.

The cinematography by Willy Kurant is a standout feature of the movie, with stunning shots of the train chugging along, and the camera angles creating a sense of disorientation. The use of the camera inside the train and close-up shots of the characters' faces helps to create a disturbing and uneasy atmosphere.

In conclusion, Trans-Europe Express is a gripping and surreal film that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seats. The plot is complex, and the experimental techniques used by the director add to the overall experience of watching the film. This movie is a must-watch for cinephiles and fans of experimental cinema.