Having another title waiting to be viewed,I quickly looked in my mountain of French films waiting to be seen for one I could plug in and play. Finding his Lucky Jo (1964-also reviewed) to be an excellent Film Noir,I got set to see Michel Deville unload the barrel.
View on the film:
Making his film making debut without the involvement of future editor/co-writing collaborator Nina Companeez, directing auteur Michel Deville offers tantalising glimpses to his future recurring motifs when co-writing/co-directing here with Charles Gerard, as jolts of Deville's abrupt smash and match-cuts are layered over Dick and Tony's money handling deeds. Whilst not blending seamlessly together, the set-pieces likely done by Charles Gerard (who did more acting than directing) have a refined Film Noir atmosphere, with the relaxed motions during well performed music numbers in the night club,and stilted wide-shots in the final, creating an oddly gentle vibe. Writing a year later the outstanding Film Noir The Road to Shame (1959-also reviewed), the screenplay by Albert Simonin and the two co-directors present a neat and tidy Film Noir package, whilst whilst not aiming for psychological depth, finds thrills in war vets Tony and Dick having to weigh how much trust they give to friendly gangster Pepere,as the last barrel is emptied.
View on the film:
Making his film making debut without the involvement of future editor/co-writing collaborator Nina Companeez, directing auteur Michel Deville offers tantalising glimpses to his future recurring motifs when co-writing/co-directing here with Charles Gerard, as jolts of Deville's abrupt smash and match-cuts are layered over Dick and Tony's money handling deeds. Whilst not blending seamlessly together, the set-pieces likely done by Charles Gerard (who did more acting than directing) have a refined Film Noir atmosphere, with the relaxed motions during well performed music numbers in the night club,and stilted wide-shots in the final, creating an oddly gentle vibe. Writing a year later the outstanding Film Noir The Road to Shame (1959-also reviewed), the screenplay by Albert Simonin and the two co-directors present a neat and tidy Film Noir package, whilst whilst not aiming for psychological depth, finds thrills in war vets Tony and Dick having to weigh how much trust they give to friendly gangster Pepere,as the last barrel is emptied.