| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A- |
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An Incrediblly Belivable Crime Drama
by Eric Ryder (movies profile)
Nov 25, 2007
1
of
1 people found this review helpful
If you're looking for an intelligent, fast-paced crime drama with thrilling chases, knock-em sock em in your face action, and a believable story to go along, then "The French Connection" is the film for you. Though it seems uneven to catagorize what the genre of the movie is, "The French Connection" doesn't rely on just one genre, it's a variety of different genres juxtaposed into one great film.
For fans who are worried that this film may contain a fantasy "save the world from evil" cliche with a cookie-cutter comic book hero, well you can throw those worries away. I guarantee you won't be disappointed by the outcome of how this movie unfolds. It gives a realistic grim view of the angst and the frustration of the criminal justice industry and a story of two criminal detectives protecting the streets of New York City from French drug smugglers who are hiding heroin in a Lincoln Continental who also have ties with the Mafia.
I know this may seem odd with what I'm about to say next, but to watch this film requires full alert, because if one second is turned away you will miss out a lot and you will be lost trying to figure out the plot. So fuel up on coffee if you have to because there's no spoon-feeding in the course of watching this film, because this action thriller makes you think.
The acting here was such a thrill to watch as Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider were just brilliant together as Det. Doyle and Det. Russo. As hard-assed as they come, these two won't take crap from anyone to track down this international conspiracy between the French smugglers and the underworld, even if their job becomes an obsession where every bystander on the street is guilty until proven innocent. But it's Hackman's Doyle who's hard on this case complete with a "don't trust anyone" frame of mind and is sure to bring the crime down even if means taking a few other down with him. It's this film that made Gene Hackman a star as he went on to win an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role. But Hackman is supported by a strong cast and the cinematography was professionally done by Owen Roizman (especially the car chase). So save your popcorn and soda till after the movie because you don't want to miss out on a single piece of action that's deliveredd here.
Although this movie has strong violence here, it's tame compared to any Qunitin Tarantino film anytime and instead of relying on strong special effects, it depends on the performances by the actors, the amazing direction by William Friedkin, and some scintillating camera-work. In addition to that, unlike other mindless action garbage, this movie has heroes you can relate to, even if they're not necessarily likable and are complex in understanding. All I know is that if you are interested to see a real crime drama film, with amazing characters, grim but gripping scenery, and flawless directing, this is one film you'll want to see. |
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