Review of Elevator to the Gallows (1958) by Douglas P — 24 Nov 2008
This is the first film on the French New Wave, and like Breathless, dare I say, is a bit of a letdown. Malle has always been over-glorified in my opinion, and here he just apes the textures of American film noir.
Sure, the Miles Davis score enhances the great B&W cinematography, and sure, Jeanne Moreau is absolutely stunning walking the streets of Paris, but there is nothing else there. There is tension that only survives the film's first ten minutes, and then it rambles and goes nowhere.
It's conventional and adheres to the noir structure so much, it hurts the overall effect in the end. Worthy but not very memorable. I'll take Melville any day.
This review of Elevator to the Gallows (1958) was written by Douglas P on 24 Nov 2008.
Elevator to the Gallows has generally received very positive reviews.
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