Director: Jules Dassin
Pigeonhole: Crime Thriller/ Film Noir / Drama
Basics: A group of 4 highly skilled thieves Tony (Servais), Jo (Mohner), Mario (Manuel), and Cesar (Dassin) pull off a large jewel heist in Paris. Unfortunately these men have a run in with a local crime boss named Grutter (Pierre Grasset), and it will not be a Hollywood ending for any of them.
Recommendation: I highly recommend Rififi to fans of the noir-style-crime films of the 50's, I would put this movie in the discussion as the one of the best. It is not rated, but I would treat it like a 'PG-13' or very light 'R' for implied violence (it happens off screen), drug references, and criminal activity.My Take: This is a French made film, and the spoken language is also French. Jules Dassin is actually an American who was blacklisted from Hollywood, and living in France at the time. The film was shot on a shoestring budget, if one could even call it that, with many of the actors and production people being inexperienced or really anxious for the work. The result is classic 2 hour film that has been copied or imitated probably 100's of times over.
**spoiler alert**
Tony is just out of prison (for a prior theft) and appears to physically and mentally 'running on empty'. Jo and Mario meet Tony and give him the details of a smash and grab theft, to which Tony refuses. Later that night Tony goes to a club in search of his ex, her name is Mado. She appears to be a high end prostitute who is now "with" a local gang leader named Grutter. She leaves the club with Tony, and upon arrival at his shabby looking apartment he demands all of her jewelry, then proceeds to whip her across the back with a belt. Tony then calls Jo and informs him that he will join in the plan, but that rather than a smash and grab for a small take, he wants to do a well planned heist that will net a large amount of money. Cesar, a friend of Mario's, is quickly brought on to the team as the safe-cracker.
The group begins a long, meticulous observation of the jeweler and how they will defeat the alarm, as well as timing around the surrounding businesses hours and local beat cops who patrol the area. With the plan in place, the quartet begin the burglary which unfolds as a masterfully shot thirty two plus minutes with no dialogue spoken, or background music played. The four men work as a single "machine" to first break into the store by cutting in from the apartment above; to then disable the alarm; to then the slow cutting into the safe; and finally their escape. The tension builds throughout, and any little noise (like Jo bumping a piano) seems to be like an explosion on the screen.
The heist is pulled off and all that is left is for the sale of the jewels to a "fence" from London for these men to have enough money each to "retire", however, Grutter finds out about their involvement and wants the jewels for himself. Cesar is captured and gives Grutter the information about the other 3. Mario and his girlfriend are soon killed, and Grutter kidnaps Jo's child demanding the jewels as ransom. Tony has been a step behind Grutter, trying to chase him down and finally catching up to him in a "final shootout".
All debts are settled by the conclusion.
Servais really shines in Rififi; he comes off like a french version of Humphrey Bogart. He commands the scenes with nuance, his voice, and his calm precise actions. Watching the break-in scene, it is easy to understand why it would be copied many times over - it was like watching a criminal symphony with so many single parts, but all working in unison. It is worth watching the movie just to see that masterful experience unfold.
Extras:
- Real burglaries have since been committed using the same tactics seen in this film
- Dassin would only film on dark and cloudy days to give it the foreboding feel. He would not film if it was sunny and bright outside.
No comments:
Post a Comment