Baisers Voles (Stolen Kisses) (1968)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Baisers Voles (Stolen Kisses) (1968) -- F. Truffaut

Truffaut continues the adventures of Antoine Doinel (and, by implication, his own fictionalized life story) that began with the 400 Blows.  Jean-Pierre Leaud (the same actor) is now in his twenties and returns here as a charming somewhat hapless guy who pursues his girl, Christine, and takes on various unsuccessful jobs (night watchman, TV repairman).  The centerpiece of the film involves his career as a private detective investigating why no one loves Michael Lonsdale's shoestore owner (by Lonsdale's request) and falling in love/lust with Lonsdale's wife (Dephine Seyrig). Truffaut's easygoing style is marked by a number of beautiful shots and fun sequences (the letter travelling the pneumatic tubes, various montages); he manages to  capture an affectionate tone that must be hard to create in reality (since we see it so rarely).