Monday, November 9, 2009

LE SAMOURAI (French) (1967)

“There is no greater solitude than that of Samurai, unless it is that of the tiger in the jungle…perhaps…” – Bushido (Book of Samurai)

Its duping title for the film since it has nothing to do with Kurosawa kind of Samurai films. It’s a stylishly shot film, telling the story of thirty something loner, handsome hit man named Jeff Castello who murdered an aristocrat in a hotel and soon held as one of the prime suspect. He has managed airtight alibi and soon he relieved himself from police. But he’s on trail by two opposite forces- police and his contract syndicate guys. You have to watch the film to see what happens next. Well, the film is product of French New Wave and its kind of film where form rules over content.
Director Jean-Pierre Melville’s this Eastman color film looks like stylish visual treat with lesser dialogues and an eye for detailing camera work. It’s abstract, mythic, timeless and breathtakingly stylish material depicting few days of lone hit man’s life. Melville gave it ‘film noire’ kind of touch in every frame right from beginning to end. Cops here function like Fritz Lang classic ‘M’, leaving no stones unturned in the investigation and city surveillance. Melville’s attention to details, Alain Delon’s suave classy presence as hit man Costello, fine background score and stylish visual cinematography are some of the awesome strong points about the film.
Without making much fuss about plot one has to just enjoy the minimalist approach of Melville's direction to deal with this crime thriller.

Recommended to all classy World Cinema Lovers.

Ratings- 8/10

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