La Belle Noiseuse: More Than Just a Really Long Art Class?

Okay, GenXers, remember when art films were, like, ACTUALLY art films? Not just Marvel movies with artsy filters? I finally got around to watching Rivette's La Belle Noiseuse (yes, I know, late to the party...cut me some slack, VHS was expensive back then). Four hours of painting…seriously? But stick with me. I'm thinking it’s less about the literal painting and more about something deeper, kinda like Antonioni but, you know, French. My theory? It's about creative block, pure and simple. Old Frenhofer, haunted by his unfinished masterpiece, and his muse, is trapped. The arrival of Nicolas and Marianne is a catalyst, but Marianne isn't just a model. She's a stand-in for inspiration itself, right? The struggle between Frenhofer and Marianne, especially in those intense posing scenes, feels like a battle for artistic control, or maybe even the soul of art itself. Like, is it about capturing reality or creating something new? Remember when he screams at her to show her soul? Chills, man. And, honestly, Emanuelle Beart's, uh, commitment to the role…it’s hard to ignore. But I think it's necessary. It kinda forces you to confront the uncomfortable realities of art, creation, vulnerability. It's not pretty, it's messy, it's raw…like life before Instagram filters. Does anyone else feel like the final reveal of the painting (or lack therof) is a middle finger to the audience? Or is it a sign of the artist's own failure to properly express himself. So, yeah, it's long. Yeah, it's slow. But I think La Belle Noiseuse is a fascinating exploration of the artistic process, and the sacrifices (and egos) involved. Definetely worth watching if you have a whole afternoon free and a strong cup of coffee. Anyone else get similar vibes? Or am I just overthinking this, as us GenXers are prone to do?