Review of Bullitt (1968) by Brendan O — 02 Feb 2009

Charisma. One of those hard-boiled gem from the 60s that most comtemporany film-makers don't have the personal touch for. Mr. Cool is all all guts, no glory and along with the rest of the movie have the right level of restraint that puts so much to Bullitt that I can't honestly see anyone else playing this part.

Unforced naturalism also a huge part in it's status as a true american classic, you see it in the dialogue and it's execution. In the end, Bullitt is not about the legendary car chase and shoot-outs, but about a person trying to maintain his humanity and self-respect while doing a violent, sordid job that society demands and in which he obviously believes.