Le Doulos

France, 1962

Director:

Jean-Pierre Melville

Starring:

Jean-Paul Belmondo
Serge Reggiani
Jean Desailly
Rene Lefevre
Monique Hennessey

Matt: A

Adam: B+

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Classic French noir by Jean-Pierre Melville starring Serge Reggiani as a betrayed thief (but betrayed by whom?) and the pick a superlative Jean-Paul Belmondo, who ranks as one of my top 5 actors of all time. Reggiani is good, and the supporting cast is highly watchable as well, but it's completely Belmondo's film. He swaggers in, takes it over and produces a typically dynamic performance throughout.

The phrase "they don't make 'em like this anymore" was written for films like this. It's dark, brooding and fast-paced and twist follows twist as the suspense builds to a fever pitch. The kind of film that, 2/3rds (or possibly more) of the way through, you don't know how it's going to end and who's done (or who's going to do) what to who. It ranks in the very top tier of classic French noir, and only just behind classics like A Bout De Souffle, Tirez Sur Le Pianist and Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud, such is the company it deserves to keep. And, unlike so many films of the genre (and particularly modern ones), the cracking ending lives up to the rest of the film. Highly recommended.

ME