Sympathy for the Devil is a 1968 movie directed by Jean-Luc Godard.
Sympathy for the Devil/One Plus One is a pseudo-documentary masquerading as a leftist anti-war, anti-capitalist, anti-fascist revolt. Godard mixes studio footage of The Rolling Stones creating Sympathy for the Devil with segments featuring Black Panther poets, an intellectual interrogation in the forest and a fascist, pornographic book store before closing on the beach as a film crew shoots scenes. The transitions between scenes include graffiti scribbled among various sites and the reading of a lewd novel.
THE BEST – Godard Wants You to Fuck Off
Sympathy for the Devil is Godard at his subversive height. He’s essentially making a Rolling Stones documentary where the band is mere background against messages of political revolution. We never hear from any of the band members – they are not identified and their purpose is never revealed. It’s a fascinating display of ego – Godard is granted access to a famous band and uses them as mere props. Anyone coming to this movie expecting to see the Stones will be sadly disappointed – which is kind of the point.
THE BEST Part 2 – Building the Song
However, it’s fascinating to have a view of the Stones crafting Sympathy for the Devil. The band adds different layers to the song throughout Godard’s segments – building simple harmonies into a dense piece of art.
THE WORST – No Edits
Godard is also at his most self-indulgent throughout the movie. His scenes with the Black Panthers and the forest interrogation linger uninterrupted. Perhaps he’s trying to offer the same unimpeded view he gave the Stones – or at least compare their process to the revolutionaries – but the segments become repetitive.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 3.75/5
Godard’s vision and petulance are worth 5 stars; however the filmed result is intentionally indulgent and tedious at times. Still, Sympathy for the Devil is a wonderful experiment and a unique movie.
