Review of The French Connection (1971) by Ross L — 18 Oct 2012

One of the greatest scenes I have seen comes from The French Connection when James "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) waves Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) at a roadblock, signaling endgame. The French Connection is a fictionalized version Robin Moore's book. Doyle and Buddy "Cloudy" Russo (Roy Scheider) are two undercover policemen. They become interested in a case involving drug smuggling from France to the United States. They receive several problems with their investigation and attempt to crack the case while film's villains try and figure out a way to smuggle heroin and avoid detection. This is what I found pretty interesting with The French Connection in how Doyle and Russo try to follow several suspects and search for the missing puzzle to piece the whole operation together. They go on to encounter various difficulties including from a federal agent. I really cannot go into the detail. The problem I had with this was the film gets a little boring which I am guessing is what an undercover mission is like. Yet, there is a bit of excitement when it comes to several characters following one another which include Doyle and Alain. However, all scenes will be overshadowed by an iconic car chase scene that will literary leave you at the edge of you seat. The French Connection is one pretty cool film not only from the action and stalking scenes, but also to the wonderful and rugged performances from Gene Hackman. I would also have to note the film is aesthetically beautiful in capturing the culture and historical look.

"You see this scar? That is from Gene Hackman when I was in the French Connection," Chief Brooding comparing scars in Jaw'd.