An American private-eye arrives in Alphaville, a futuristic city on another planet which is ruled by an evil scientist named Von Braun, who has outlawed love and self-expression.
It's one of the great cinematic works of romanticism, as well as a sort of filmed revelation of the very essence of science-fiction movies and German silent classics -- their blend of social critique, emotional liberation, and paranoia.
– Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
1 Apr 2014
fresh:
Despite its age it's that rare science fiction film that doesn't seem to have dated at all.
– Kenneth Turan,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr 2014
fresh:
A bracing salute to American gangster pics, with a jumpy European post-war uncertainty thrown in.
– Steven Rea,
Philadelphia Inquirer,
25 Apr 2014
fresh:
Nothing about this strange, moving work of agit-pop has ever seemed out of date. If anything, "Alphaville" moves closer to relevance with every passing year.
– Ty Burr,
Boston Globe,
1 May 2014
fresh:
It's so archly intellectual that you fear it might splinter if you poke it in the ribs. It's also endlessly playful in its worship of American movie tropes, and deeply resourceful.