Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Maruschka Detmers, Jacques Bonnaffé, Myriem Roussel, Christophe Odent, Jean-Luc Godard ... see more see more... , Hippolyte Girardot , Christine Pignet , Jacques Villeret , Pierre-Alain Chapuis

First Name: Carmen tells the parallel stories of a quartet rehearsing Beethoven and a group of young people robbing a bank, supposedly to get the funds to make a film. Director Jean-Luc Godard attempt... read more read more...s to make a film that resembles a string quartet, each of whose parts serves an abstract whole. The film is a meditation on the difficulties of youth in the 1980s, the relations between cinema and capital, and how to film the human body. Godard fills the film with carefully composed shots of bodies playing music, making love, and acting violently. His attention to bodies in First Name: Carmen makes the film's images very close to sculptures, particularly those of Rodin. The film's engagement with painting and sculpture continues Godard's ongoing investigation of the relationships between cinema and other arts ~ Louis Schwartz, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

2,440 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Jean-Luc Godard

Release Date: January 1, 1983

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 5, 2000

Stats: 99 reviews

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (99)


  • February 10, 2010
    godard seemed to be in a period where coherency and story mattered a whole lot less than art, which doesnt work in film, because the true art of film is the ability to tell good stories, but this film has enough other things going for it despite its lack of clarity that it is sav... read moreed from disaster. the film is shot very well, and seeing godard in front of his camera was interesting enough. missing the charm of his earlier work but still very watchable.

Critic Reviews


Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

He is searching for a point of equilibrium between the made and the found, the ordered and the chaotic -- a point from which to define an aesthetic for the 80s. Full Review

Felix Gonzalez Jr.
February 14, 2008
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review

With equal parts heist drama and romantic comedy, the movie continues Godard's exploration of film .... Full Review

Douglas Pratt
June 15, 2007
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser

By accepting his indulgences, the viewer is treated both to his wry sense of humor and his refreshing intelligence.

April 17, 2007
Time Out

This, throwaway jokes and all, is Godard back at his most nouvelle vague in years. Full Review

April 17, 2007
Film4

This is Godard at his most mischievous. Full Review

August 29, 2006
TV Guide's Movie Guide

The film is spiced with passion, philosophy, eroticism, and technical innovation, and while its ideas are relatively accessible, they still do not make for 'easy' viewing. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
February 28, 2002
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

In the middle of the muddle, there was a nearly perfect scene. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
November 23, 2004
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

First Name - Carm... : Watch Free on TV


First Name - Carmen Trivia


  • Name the film of Beyonce's first ever film?  Answer »

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for First Name - Carmen. Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists


Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?