Review of Elevator to the Gallows (1958) by Brandon W — 22 May 2009

I recently had a conversation with a friend about how as an actress Jeanne Moreau has only one facial expression at her disposal -- a total lack of any expression, of any kind -- and this expression works perfectly in this movie.

Visually, the movies is stunning, as are most New Wave movies, but especially noteworthy is the scene which has Moreau walking along the Champs-Elysees in slow motion, with "Generique" by Miles Davis playing in the background. It's the kind of a scene one could play over and over again. It's atmospheric, the music accompanying the scene is brilliant, and if one happens to have a cigarette and a mug of coffee sitting on the table beside the computer screen, one should leave the scene on, take a long drag and a big sip and let the senses wander...