Fiction and real life coincidentally resemble each other in Michel Hazanavicius’ Godard Mon Amour, although arguably, that coincidence never winks as hard as it does here. The titular character here (Louis Garrel) has a similar arc that Joel McCrea’s character has in Sullivan’s Travels. A comedic movie director years to make a serious political movie. But instead of someone talking him out of that ledge, Jean-Luc, despite his support system, concerns himself more with the naysayers that may be around somewhere.

Godard Mon Amour has Jean-Luc doubling down on politics, although the film sees his seriousness, or the seriousness of the movements around him, as debatable. Throughout the film he meets fans who give him advice. He starts out as civil but eventually starts yelling at strangers who talk to him on the street. He then takes that negative attitude home to his wife Anne Wiazemsky (Stacy Martin). The film, then, anticipates the natural progression of her getting sick of him.

I gave Godard Mon Amour a chance even if I wasn’t the biggest fan of Hazanavicius’ Oscar winning film The Artist. This newer film doe shave its merits. He follows serious discussions with sketch comedy, a way of throwing shade. It’s as if he handles this material as a cautionary tale to himself to never take himself as seriously as the master did. Despite this antagonism, he emulates Godard’s mid career style. It’s understandable how some can see this film’s beauty. I say beauty keeping in mind the costume and hair design on everyone, especially Garrel.

While most of Godard Mon Amour is beautiful, it’s the occasional baffling choices that derail the film. Like what is up with the inverted colours that Hazanavicius uses in a scene or two? Or maybe the subject matter itself isn’t good enough. Because let’s be real, it takes a miracle to make a character like Jean-Luc sympathetic. He can’t even make for a good, captivating antihero. What emotional attachment can viewers get from a character who compares Jews to Nazis?

How many times can he obviously say things to fish for compliments or pity to his friends (including Berenice Bejo)? And how many times can he ‘make plans’ to derail Anne’s career before she realizes that she needs her freedom? Godard Mon Amour has a wild third act, which includes scenes with nudity that feel like it comes way too late. It also has a scene where, content and spoiler alert, Jean-Luc tries to die by suicide that it handles sloppily.

Watch Godard Mon Amour on  MUBI, if you dare.