Grisbi
Directed by:
Jacques BeckerCinematography:
Pierre MontazelComposer:
Jean WienerCast:
Jean Gabin, René Dary, Dora Doll, Vittorio Sanipoli, Marilyn Buferd, Delia Scala, Gaby Basset, Lino Ventura, Paul Frankeur, Jean Daurand, Jeanne Moreau (more)Plots(1)
Jean Gabin is at his most wearily romantic as aging gangster Max le Menteur in the Jacques Becker gem Touchez pas au grisbi (Hands Off the Loot!). Having pulled off the heist of a lifetime, Max looks forward to spending his remaining days relaxing with his beautiful young girlfriend. But when Riton (René Dary), Max's hapless partner and best friend, lets word of the loot slip to loose-lipped, two-timing Josy (Jeanne Moreau), Max is reluctantly drawn back into the underworld. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (1)
Elegant suits, ties, beautiful women, and guns discreetly hidden in pockets. In the 1950s, French cinema produced a whole series of titles that capitalized on the popularity of American gangster films and sought to transfer their atmosphere to the old continent. Grisbi is a typical representative film of that time period when the director doesn't experiment but follows a simple plotline and relies on the charisma of the proven Jean Gabin. The fifty-year-old Gabin feels the weight of time relentlessly passing by and during parties after midnight, he feels like he's working overtime. A big heist is supposed to secure his retirement, but thanks to a chatty accomplice, there are suddenly more people interested in the loot. The film is more about style than action or clever screenwriting tricks. Honestly, I can't really find any significant faults with it. Overall impression: 75%.
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