University of Virginia Library

A Change

Gradually, however, the viewer
becomes aware of a change. It isn't
blatantly obvious, and it creeps up
on you and catches you off guard.
Like other films directed by
Truffaut. "The Wild Child" charms
you, seduces you into accepting
and believing everything you see.
Thus, when Victor is punished you
feel several emotions: sympathy for
Victor and anger at Itard, while at
the same time you also hope that
Itard's methods will work. For me,
the most emotion-filled moment
occurs when Victor disappears. I sat
in the theatre almost trembling,
worried that he would get hurt,
that something, would happen,
hating Itard for letting this happen,
and hating Truffaut, the
director/actor, for taking this so
calmly.

It was then that I became aware
of the change in Itard. In "The Wild
Child." Truffaut is stressing
humanism over the scientific
method. Itard does change and
perhaps we do too, although the
final iris of Victor leaves me with a
tinge of doubt that even Truffaut
would be able to tame this child.

"The Wild Child" will interest a
variety of people. Those familiar
with the writings of Itard might
gain more from the film, and
certainly anyone familiar with
French will have additional insights
over those of us who have to read
subtitles. The nicest thing about
"The Wild Child" is that it is a
beautifully made film that everyone
can enjoy, and like any work of art
and the best films of Truffaut, we
carry a part of it around within us
for the rest of our lives.