Why did Paul let Camille go alone in Jeremey's car at the start of the film? And why was it such a mortal sin to Camille that he did this?
You would think an intelligent man such as Paul would see that this was the source of her contempt before too long..but then he did exactly the same thing again in the boat scene.
Why? I don't get Paul's actions, and I don't get why it was so unforgivable to Camille..the first time, anyway.
He was pimping her out, one way or another, to help his relations with the producer and ultimately his career.
I think he did know that that was the source of her contempt, but he either tried to deny it to himself or didn't want to give her other causes in case he was wrong and that wasn't it. When all was lost he finally did reveal that he knew it.
She was so upset because the writer cared more about his career than he did her. She's a very beautiful girl and accustomed to better treatment than that. On top of it, as the first scene shows, she is very much desiring a complete and total devotional love.
Where's your crew?
On the 3rd planet.
There IS no 3rd planet!
Don't you think I know that?
Thanks. Well explained.
shareI've wondered whether Godard physically cast Bardot against type, or if he felt pressured by commercial needs to use her in this film. We tend to look at Brigitte Bardot as a woman who must be Had At All Costs ('It's Brigitte frickin' Bardot... he just turned down BRIGITTE frickin' BARDOT! TWICE!!'), making Paul's rejection of her seemingly unrealistic. Was this always the case, or is this some kind of cosmic joke Godard is playing here, and she's not REALLY as irresistable as she appears? Who's in on the joke... Paul? Us? Anyone?
One thing is clear: this relationship was in big trouble before the film starts, and Camille making Paul pledge allegiance to each of her body parts seems a lot like some kind of weird punishment for some prior transgression of his, possibly simply not paying her enough attention. She seems a little attention-needy. As well as vindictive as hell.