Review of The French Connection (1971) by Chris W — 20 Aug 2008

I've been saying for the past couple of years now that the 70's was the best decade for film. This is one of the films I'm now using to support my view. At the Academy Awards in 1971, this film, along with A Clockwork Orange, The Last Picture Show, Fiddler on the Roof, and Nicholas and Alexandra were nominated for Best Picture.

It was a tough decision to make, and I'm sure that not all are happy about it, but this film won, I'm not sure if I completely agree, but I'm not mad that it won. It's a great film. It deserves the praise it gets, and not just for the legendary car chase scene either.

Hackman is brilliant as the tough, intense, down-and-out porkpie wearing Popeye Doyle, and I'm glad he got the Oscar. The late Roy Scheider is also awesome as his partner "Cloudy". Of all the amazing actors that come to prominence during the 1970's, Scheider is often overlooked, and that's a shame.

The aforementioned car chase is often the first (if not only) thing people talk about when this film is mentioned. While it was brilliant for it's time, it's been out done. Still, it's a great sequence, and a highlight of the film, but it is not the only thing the film has going for it (as my talk of the acting makes obvious).

What I really liked about the film (and what many cite as a problem with the film) is the fact that it is really nothing more than a police procedural, albeit a gritty police procedural/ character study that is really engaging and entertaining, despite a sometiems slow pace.

It amazies me that the people who think this movie is boring, but probably find The Dark Knight to be brilliant probably don't stop to see how much of an influence this film had (on multiple levels) on both of Nolan's Batman films.

Ah, it's ok though. I'm just starting to ramble. Bottom line: this is a classic must see film.