Review of The French Connection (1971) by Stuart K — 24 Mar 2011

Directed by William Friedkin, written by Shaft creator Ernest Tidyman from a non-fiction book by Robin Moore. This is a police crime thriller which came when cop dramas showed a much more violent streak, but this enthralled audiences and critics so much, it would win 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.

It has New York detective James "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his loyal partner Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) investigating a drug smuggling ring in New York. They learn of a big drugs deal going down and small time restaurant owner Sal Boca (Tony Lo Bianco) and his wife Angie (Arlene Farber), who seem to be living beyond their means, with new cars and going out to nightclubs.

Turns out they're in cahoots with a drugs syndicate coming in from Marseille, France. Behind it is criminal Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey), who tricks French actor Henri Devereaux (Frà (C)dà (C)ric de Pasquale) into going with a car full of drugs, a Lincoln Continental.

Popeye Doyle has his eye on Charnier, but he seems to be a tough man to catch, and soon Doyle's life is in danger. It's a very taut and grimy thriller, Hackman is hardass as Doyle, Rey is a smooth baddie and Schneider makes a good partner.

Friedkin's tight direction, including the car chasing the subway train, was suspensful enough, so he was offered The Exorcist (1973) as his next film.