Well, I play French with black, and I also play the Classical variation against 3. Nc3 and at least I don't like to play that 4. Bb4 with black because the position becomes so dynamic in that variation. I also have seen here in Finland that French players want to avoid the most dynamic positions so it might me an advantage against some French players.
I would say that both 4. e5 and 4. Bg5 are fine. You should decide yourself which move fits better in your playing style. If you like to play a dynamic position you should play them and if you don't want that dynamic, play Advance variation or 4. e5.
And if you want to play agressive French with wite, there are some interesting gambits and attacks with white which can be very useful in blitz like the Alekhine-Chatard attack (1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. h4).
But in general, it's important that your pawns and pieces work smoothly togheter so at least I find it difficult, which one is better. But more common than f4 are those more common variants like Advance and those 3.Nc3 variants (Winaver and Classical variations)
So guys, I would like to open a little discussion about the Classical variation of the French. I don't play the French as black, but I face it quite often OTB so I'm here from the perspective of the white pieces.
So, after 3...Nc6 there are 2 main variations white can choose from, the most common one, at least historicaly, is 4.Bg4 pinning the Knight. From there black has several options, the most common one is Be7 and the game goes 5.e5 Nfd7 and the postion is fine. If black plays 4...dxe4 then white can capture with the Knight and has a nice space advantage in the center in a position similar to the Rubenstein Variation.
What concerns me is if Black plays 4...Bb4, the main line goes 5.e5 h6 6.Bd2 Bxc3 7.bxc3 Ne4 8.Qg4. Even tho Qg4 can cause some trouble to black, I can't help but think to myself that Black is slightly better in this line and I found no great alternatives to white. But I have to admit, is quite a dynamic position.
The move 4...Bb4 was used by a player to beat Steinitz in a simultaneous exhibition. White can avoid this by playing 4.e5 instead of 4.Bg5, coincidently or not, this is one of the many opening variations to bear his name, the Steinitz Variation.
This is the variation that I normally play, avoiding the 4...Bb4 line with a position similar to the Advance French, but with a faw key differences. The main line usually goes 4...Nfd7 and a closed game insues.
So, how you guys would play against the Classical Variation of the French? Do you think that 4.e5 is a better alternative or 4.Bg5 is just fine?
Also, I usually see player going for 2 different aproachs as white in the French, they either try to go for f4 and sttack with the pawnor they mobilize and coordinate their pieces and go for piece play in the kingside. So, what do you guys think is the best way for white tho attack in the French, Pawns or Pieces?