Grisbi
Directed by:
Jacques BeckerCinematography:
Pierre MontazelComposer:
Jean WienerCast:
Jean Gabin, René Dary, Dora Doll, Vittorio Sanipoli, Marilyn Buferd, Delia Scala, Gaby Basset, Lino Ventura, Paul Frankeur, Jean Daurand, Jeanne Moreau (more)Plots(1)
Jacques Becker's Touchez Pas au Grisbi occupies a significant part in French cinema history. Max (Jean Gabin) and Riton (René Dary) are two ageing gangsters who manage to pull off their final heist, a spectacular gold bullion robbery at Orly airport. All is well until Max's former girlfriend Josy (Jeanne Moreau) tips off a rival gangster, Angelo (Lino Ventura). The latter kidnaps Ritton and threatens to kill him unless Max hands over the spoils from his robbery. Helping to birth the French policier, a European transposition of the fantastic American gangster films of the 1940s, Touchez Pas au Grisbi exerted a huge influence on subsequent directors such as Jean-Pierre Melville. (StudioCanal UK)
(more)Reviews (1)
Elegant suits, ties, beautiful women, and guns discreetly hidden in pockets. In the 1950s, French cinema produced a whole series of titles that capitalized on the popularity of American gangster films and sought to transfer their atmosphere to the old continent. Grisbi is a typical representative film of that time period when the director doesn't experiment but follows a simple plotline and relies on the charisma of the proven Jean Gabin. The fifty-year-old Gabin feels the weight of time relentlessly passing by and during parties after midnight, he feels like he's working overtime. A big heist is supposed to secure his retirement, but thanks to a chatty accomplice, there are suddenly more people interested in the loot. The film is more about style than action or clever screenwriting tricks. Honestly, I can't really find any significant faults with it. Overall impression: 75%.
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