I watched it yesterday, it was on TV. I'm very unfamiliar with this kind of stuff. While I must admit it wasn't so easy on first viewing (bad sound and everything), it kept my attention and developed my curiosity. So in terms of Godard, what should I see next, considering I haven't seen anything but this?
M Dietrich on Orson Welles:People should cross themselves when they say his name.
A Band of Outsiders is generally regarded as Godard at his most accessible. It doesn't achieve greatness, but it doesn't miss by very far. Overall, it's very playful and quite memorable. After all, Godard's playfulness with the rules and establishments of cinematic expression is his biggest strength. The characters and script of A Band of Outsiders are filled with just as much refreshing, youthful energy as Godard's style.
You're probably aware that Breathless is his most famous film, but it's also a pretty difficult film. It jump-cut style agitates a lot of modern viewers, but to me its biggest weakness was its screenplay.
OK, since the first guy who responded to your question was way too verbose, I'll name some Godard movies that I think you'd like. I hope you enjoy them!! Oh, and they all achieve "Greatness," contrary to what the other winded film theorist told you...
1) Masculine Feminine is a terrific comedy about "The Children of Marxism and Coca-Cola" that you will love!
2) Breathless is one of the most exciting movies ever made, and it is not "difficult."
(Weakness in the screenplay? It is perfect and written by Francois Trufffaut!)
3) Weekend is one of the most brilliant meditations on life ever attempted, with its car crashes and endless traffic.
4) My Life To Live is the story of a young prostitute who seems doomed.
5) Contempt is a terrific meditation on filmmaking, as a director tries to make Ulysses more commercial...
6) La Chinois is a sequel of sorts to Masculine Feminine, and concerns "revolutionaries," college students who want to change the world for the better through violence.
7) Le Carabiniers is another great one.
8) Le Petite Soldat is a meditation on war, just like #7.
9) Tou Va Bien
10) Band of Outsiders is just a heck of a lot of fun...
Verbose? lol, you're funny.
I've seen five Godards... and to be honest I was completely enamored by Alphaville. It's kinda a combination of my favorite genre (noir) with my one of my two favorite films (2001).
Of the ones I've seen, I'd say watch them in the order of: Breathless > Band of Outsiders > Pierrot Le Fou > Contempt
I didn't get Breathless, no make that Godard in general, until I watched Band of Outsiders. But I think Breathless was crucial in his progression as a film-maker and my progression as a film-viewer.
Godard has really been a revelation to me, almost for the worse, because I find myself so engrossed by him that everything else seems so bland now.
By the way, I also recommend the films of Jean-Pierre Melville to the topic creator (start with Le Samourai).