Movielogr
Le Samouraï (1967)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville
Twitter Facebook Google+Most recently watched by AllAboutSteve, sleestakk, sensoria
Overview
After carrying out a flawlessly planned hit, Jef Costello, a contract killer with samurai instincts, finds himself caught between a persistent police investigator and a ruthless employer, and not even his armor of fedora and trench coat can protect him.
Rated PG | Length 105 minutes
Actors
Alain Delon | François Périer | Nathalie Delon | Cathy Rosier | Michel Boisrond | Catherine Jourdan | Jean-Pierre Posier | Robert Favart | Jacques Leroy | Roger Fradet | Carlo Nell | Robert Rondo | André Salgues | André Thorent | Jacques Deschamps | Georges Casati | Jacques Léonard | Pierre Vaudier | Maurice Magalon | Gaston Meunier | Jean Gold | Georges Billy | Ari Aricardi | Guy Bonnafoux | Humberto Catalano | Carl Lechner | Maria Maneva
Viewing History (seen 1 time)
| Date Viewed | Device | Format | Source | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06/05/2013 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5 stars |
| (Average) 5 stars |
Viewing Notes
The Godson is an icy cool, existential thriller, made with a rare, but confirming simplicity. Not to say that the plot isn’t complex, it is, but the slow progression of the plot is made clear with pawn-like characters, the raging cops, the loyal dame, and the stoic hit-man, etc. The protagonist, a still-bodied killer named Jef, is played by actor Alain Delon, and though he is mostly expressionless throughout, he shows a lot through his small gestures; he is undeniably the center of the movie: we watch him walk down solemn streets and lurking deep in the subways, while he’s being tracked and bugged by ruthless cops. And who wouldn’t get a rise out of how he looks in his mirror right before leaving his penthouse apartment and smooths the rim of his iconic light-gray fedora, easily the most stylish hit-man in town.
In the final death scene, Melville has actually said that Jef died smiling; you can find this alternative take online and it almost looks like he’s laughing. It wouldn’t been a cool touch, since we don’t ever see Jef smile or laugh through the course of the movie. But apparently Melville had a smiling death scene in another of his movies and didn’t want to repeat himself.
No comments yet. Log in and be the first!