Bob le Flambeur (1955) Reviews

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Both a tribute to classic American gangster films and the source of inspiration for French New Wave filmmakers, Bob le Flambeur is the first in a series of stylish noirs that Jean-Pierre Melville started in the mid-'50s. Co-scripted by the popular crime writer Auguste Le Breton (Rififi), this is a story of ex-bank robber and compulsive gambler Bob (Roger Duchesne), who plans a heist at the Deauville casino. As in many films of that genre, he assembles a team of old friends and new acquaintances to do the job and is determined to perform it despite all the odds that continue to pile up before him. The overall tone is admirably lighthearted, however, and despite many stylistic and thematic references to American caper movies, the whole enterprise remains genuinely French. "This is a kind of film that we want to make!" exclaimed the young and rebellious François Truffaut back in 1955. Jean-Luc Godard, in his turn, acknowledged Melville's influence, giving him an extended cameo in Breathless. ~ Yuri German, Rovi

Starring:: Roger Duchesne, Isabelle Corey, (more)

Director(s):: Jean-Pierre Melville

Format(s):: DVD
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(2 member reviews)

Member Reviews

	J'ADORE LE CINEMA O.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

Classic French Nouvelle Vague with a hot ingenue off the street in Isabelle Corey, she reminds one of Scarlett Johannsen. Intricate connections between all the players sprinkled with just enough sex to keep the story sizzling. Cauchy has a great interview on the disc, and admits that in viewing the film years later, he could not believe it moved so slowly, but acknowledges that is the way the director created the great atmosphere. This film is highly revered by our top directors today, and really worth seeing. Really super time capsule of life in Paris in the 50's, a golden age for Her.

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	PAULA C.

0 out of 0 people found this review helpful

WONDERFUL FRENCH CRIME MOVIE WITH AN ESPECIALLY SATISFYING ENDING. THE GREAT CARS! THE GREAT CITY! THE HUMORLESS HOODS AND THEIR FAITHFUL MOLS! THIS MOVIE SET A STANDARD, AS DID GRISBY, RIFIFI AND PEPE LE MOKO. AND, BY THE WAY, IS A TRUE PORTRAIT OF THE GAMBLING ADDICT. HOW WONDERFUL WE HAVE IT STILL TO SAVOR.

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