Review of The French Connection (1971) by Chris B — 06 Nov 2011

Up until now, I'd never really heard much about William Friedkin. I'd heard that he's influenced a lot of modern directors, as while as the crime and horror genres, but I'd never seen any of his movies.

The French Connection is a great film. It's exactly what a crime movie is supposed to be. There's a specific formula that has to be followed for it to work, and if it wasn't The French Connection that invented it, then it certainly made it the standard.

I felt that this was some of the most intense and meticulous direction that I've ever seen. It was incredibly realistic and fast-paced. The first twenty minutes or so are slow, as you've heard, but after that gets out of the way and the story picks up, you get really involved. And I mean, REALLY involved.

This is one of those movies that you go into with high expectations, seeing as it is listed as one of the best in the crime genre and of all time. So, I guess I might be giving just a little bit more credit than it actually deserves, but I loved the French Connection--even more so the second time--and if it's not the critical acclaim that reels you in, you've got my recommendation.