Review of The French Connection (93)

Plot
The French Connection is loosely based upon an actual investigation that led to what was then the biggest heroin seizure in U.S. history.  The film traces the efforts of Jimmy 'Popeye' Doyle and his partner, Buddy Russo, in shutting down the pipeline pumping Middle Eastern smack into the United States through the French port of Marseilles.

Jason's Thoughts
Ask anyone who has seen the French Connection what they remember most and you will more than likely hear about the huge car chase scene.  Sure, they are a dime-a-dozen now, but we live in the age of CGI.  The French Connection came out in the early 1970's, in a time before that luxury was around, and this car chase is about as real as it gets. 

It is the same realism, though, that I feel helped ruin the movie for me.  Watching Popeye Doyle and his partner play their seemingly endless cat-and-mouse game and go on stakeouts didn't appeal to me.  It would almost be like filming me at work typing on a keyboard as I develop web sites - not exactly what I would call riveting cinema. 

I will give it credit as the movie started to pick up and get interesting towards the end, but by the time that happened I was so far removed from the movie that it no longer mattered to me.  After it was over, I could only question as to why this movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1971.  Again, coming from the age of CGI, this style of movie seems tame by today's standards.  I'm sure it was groundbreaking and highly influential when it came out.

Don't get me wrong, the French Connection was not a horrible movie, I just think it may be a tad overrated.  However, I will think back to this movie every time I see a car chase race across my screen. 

Crystal's Thoughts
While certainly not a horrible movie, I was left wondering why on earth this one made the top 100 movie list.  After some research into it, I found that this is one of the first movies that really addressed the drug scene.  In 1971, that was likely quite controversial.  Weird how over 40 years later, it is strange to not have drugs or some link to drugs referenced in a movie or show.  It is as if it has become the norm.  On that same note though, as we have watched the past few older movies that are part of this list, it’s interesting to see how much main characters used to smoke in movies.  It is very rare these days to see that and probably will become even more so with the big crack down on smoking and not wanting to display it to those who may be influenced by it.

Moving back to the movie, one of the best aspects is that it is very fast paced.  It doesn't drag on or dive deep into matters that in the end don't matter.  I am also sure that back in the 70s, this really had one on the edge of their seat as one viewed it.  While it didn't do that for me today, if you think about how fascinating this was back then, you'll appreciate the movie more.  This movie is also cited for having one of the greatest car chases ever filmed.   Even if it were done today, I am guessing it would still be just as fascinating and as dangerous and difficult.

Unfortunately, the ending of the movie didn't measure up to the thrills throughout it.  It seemed to leave you hanging, thinking to yourself "what?" as the end credits scrolled by.  While this movie isn't an absolute must see, it is not a bad choice if you don't really have anything else to do on a Saturday night.  I'll also file this one on the Guy Movie list.

Comments

No comments have been posted.