Review of Le Cercle Rouge (1970) by Gordon B — 15 May 2014

Oh man, this movie is 2.5 hours long and I feel that I've wasted 50% of my time. The concept is interesting but the opportunities are squandered.

It's a stylish enough film. The production has a glossy, slick, mid-century Hollywood Regency glam look to it. I couldn't believe it was filmed in 1970 as the setting feels 1950's.

My issues with French cinema is the general overall lack of concern for story line, plot or character development. Yves Montand's alcoholism and borderline insanity is introduced and never explored and quickly explained away. Alain Delon's mob backstory drops in and out of the picture. We never know why Gian-Maria Volonte's character is on the run. The police work is sloppy and lazy. The continuity of the story is equally sloppy and lazy: it's clear weather, then it snows, then it's raining all during one day in the story.

The plot twist of the police inspector/fence is overhyped in the description. It's a red herring in the description as it is merely a set-up in the last 10 minutes to trap our criminals.

Plausibility and continuity is an afterthought. One of the characters attempts suicide by ingesting two vials of Aspirin. Riiiight. It'll give one a damn stomach ache but I doubt it'll kill anyone.

Again, it's pretty nice eye candy, but that's about it.