I watched this tonight in a theory class, I saw it last spring and liked it but somewhat passed it off as one of Godard's lesser films. Having seen it again I'd have to say it might be his best and most honest statement as a filmmaker. Godard often restorted to cinephilia, far-flung political statements, and parody which caused most people to abhor his films. Personally, I greatly admire most of his 60s work just because he dissected the art and layed the severed pieces all out on the table so we can see them. Once again, some people don't like this.

Anyway, Contempt. The Criterion DVD looks terrific, the soundtrack is majestic, and Bridget Bardot is absolutely smoking delicious. Godard uses the premise of the film as an attack against the film industry. Coincidentally, this was his only Hollywood-funded film project and the tensions between director/producers plays out on the screen (he would abandon the idea and return to his more minimal style in the future). A screenwriter/former playwright is working on an adaptation of the Odyssey, directed by legendary expressionist Fritz Lang. Lang wants to make art, but a maniacal producer wants to make money. Meanwhile, the screenwriter is involved in a dissolving marriage with a former typist (Bardot).

The camera work is terrific - it was shot in Cinemascope - and its absolutely huge, and gorgeous. The location shooting is as good as I've seen in any film, ever, and this includes the greats such as Werner Herzog. The dialogue is all incredibly personal or philsophically stark. The movie is such a thorough analysis of the filmmakers versus the money handlers that I don't think I've seen the subject of filmmaking played out so gracefully, with several exceptions of course. Most people will dismiss as artistic fap, but for the cinema fan this is essential viewing.