Review of Bob le Flambeur (1956) by Robin * — 20 Dec 2006

Very French New Wave... before there was such a thing. You get a great feel for Paris as Melville shoots on location and with natural lighting. As with all Melville movies, it's cool. That's his aim. Gangsters and gamblers are either the old school honorable type or the opposite. Dialog is not extensive or particularly nesessary, however there is more of it in this one than his later movies.

I was suprised by the casual tone taken to sex and some limited nudity... another way Melville was well ahead of his time. Interesting in that the lead is older than most heros would be in this type of film. Also interesting is the ending, which is not conventional in the least. Not as stylistic as the later movies, much more New Wave due to the black and white. Definately worth a viewing.

Remade as "The Good Thief" with Nick Nolte.