dir Claude Sautet
writ. Jose Giovanni (novel & dialogue), Claude Saute, Jose Giovanni and Pascal Jardin (adaptation)
feat. Lino Ventura, Sandra Milo, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Marcel Dalio, Michel Ardan, Simone France, Stan Krol
In Sautet's French twist on American noir, the focus shifts from the crime to the personal lives of the criminals. Abel Davos (Ventura) is a family man on the run, clearly still hooked on the adventure of his chosen life, but currently more concerned with moving his family to a safe new home. Tragedy and deceit naturally ensue, but so does an unexpected new friend and ally, in Eric Stark (Belmondo). As Eric joins forces with Abel, he slips into the family dynamic, a fraternal cameraderie between the two men and an avuncular role with Abel's young boys.
The film bounces between Abel's dual quest for safety and revenge and lingering moments of normalcy, family being family or Eric trying to get the girl. Trust and loyalty are tested and punishments administered, though the outcome of the story (particularly given an ending that seems uncertain of the filmmaker's conviction) comes second to the theme that an ordinary life is the ultimate goal even for killers and thieves.
No comments:
Post a Comment