Overview
A poignant tale of love and friendship set against the backdrop of a tumultuous era.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sensual
- w wistful
- classic film night
- arthouse movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a highly inventive and emotionally sophisticated French New Wave romance, especially praising its performances and fluid treatment of love and friendship.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jules and Jim continue to value their friendship even as Catherine becomes romantically involved with both men.
Catherine moves unpredictably between marriage, passion, and independence, driving the relationship's instability.
The story moves from pre-war Paris through the postwar years while rapidly charting changes in the trio's relationships.
The film uses black-and-white photography, animated movement, and intimate framing to give the romance a lively, modern pulse.
Films like Jules and Jim, and why
The 400 Blows
shared french new wave sensibility, emotionally volatile love triangle, and tension between romantic freedom and social convention
Band of Outsiders
shared unconventional romance, shifting relationship dynamics, and playful yet melancholic treatment of intimacy
La Notte
shared european art-house romance, erotic ambiguity, and critique of possessive relationships
Movie Details
- Director
- François Truffaut
- Release Date
- 1962-01-23
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (1076)
Cast
- Jeanne Moreau
- Oskar Werner
- Henri Serre
- Marie Dubois
- Sabine Haudepin
- Vanna Urbino
- Serge Rezvani
- Anny Nelsen
- Michel Subor
- Danielle Bassiak
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Jules and Jim about?
- A freewheeling French New Wave romance follows two inseparable friends whose shared love for an unpredictable woman tests the boundaries between passion, marriage, and loyalty.
- What is Jules and Jim like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Jules and Jim as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Jules and Jim violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Jules and Jim.
- What did critics think of Jules and Jim?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a highly inventive and emotionally sophisticated French New Wave romance, especially praising its performances and fluid treatment of love and friendship.
- Which films are like Jules and Jim?
- Films with a similar feel include The 400 Blows, Band of Outsiders, and La Notte.
- How long is Jules and Jim?
- Jules and Jim runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Jules and Jim?
- In United States, Jules and Jim streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
