Du rififi chez les hommes

Genre: crime drama (in black and white)

With: Jean Servais (Tony le Stéphanois), Carl Möhner (Jo le Suédois), Robert Manuel (Mario Ferrati), Marie Sabouret (Mado), Janine Darcey (Louise, Jo’s wife), Pierre Grasset (Louis Grutter), Robert Hossein (Rémi Grutter), Magali Noël (Viviane), Jules Dassin (Cesar from Milan), Claude Sylvain (Ida Ferrati)

Director: Jules Dassin

Release: 1955

Studio: Pathé-Consortium Cinéma, Indusfilms et al.

Rating: -16

MBiS score: 8.6/10

One Bauble More, One Bauble Too Many

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Story-line: when Tony le Stéphanois, barely out of jail, gets into a jam and is rescued by Jo le Suédois, Jo and his friend Mario tell him about a quickie robbery they’re planning and offer him a piece of the action. Tony says no, then accepts… but on his terms only. He won’t risk his neck for a few trinkets in a jewellery store window... he wants carats, lots and lots of carats.

Pluses: convincing acting all around (especially by Jean Servais as the tired-looking and deadly serious Tony), a twisty and detailed screenplay by Jules Dassin, René Wheeler and Auguste Le Breton (based on Le Breton’s novel), splendid cinematography (Philippe Agostini) that makes even grimy streets look gorgeous, impressive direction, tricky editing (Roger Dwyre), a powerful score (Georges Auric) and one extended heist scene that will put you in a trance.    

Minuses: none whatsoever.  

Comments: this was my first film by Jules Dassin (1911-2008) and I was astounded by its overall quality, buildup of tension and dénouement (by the way, the title DU RIFIFI CHEZ LES HOMMES, loosely translated as ‟Mayhem Among the Men”, refers to a meaningful song featured on the soundtrack). As is typically the case in crime films, most of the action revolves around the men – and a charismatic bunch they are – but the women are also important, each of them a stunner in her own special way. Uh? You don’t like caper flicks generally? Make an exception… this time around.   

MBiS

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Il Conformista 

English title: Conformist (the)

Also known as: Conformiste (le)

Genre: character study

With: Jean-Louis Trintignant (Marcello Clerici), Stefania Sandrelli (his wife Giulia), Gastone Moschin (Manganiello), Enzo Tarascio (Professor Quadri), Dominique Sanda (Anna Quadri), Pierre Clémenti (Pasqualino)

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci

Screenplay: Bernardo Bertolucci from a novel by Alberto Moravia

Release: 1970

Studio: Mars Film, Marianne Productions, Maran Film

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.9/10

Follow the Leader, Follow Il Duce

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Story-line: the setting is Italy (and also France) during the late 1930s. Marcello Clerici, still rattled by an incident from his youth, has dedicated himself to living as ‟normally” as he can. For him, ‟normalcy” means two things: accepting married life with Giulia (even though he doesn’t love her all that much) and working as a henchman for Mussolini’s fascist machine.  

Pluses: strong acting and direction, a brilliant and ambiguous screenplay that develops powerful political and sexual themes, lovely photography, a pertinent musical score, top-grade production values (locations, costumes and sets).

Minuses: none I can think of, but don’t expect any laughs from this heartless film (one late scene involving Marcello, Anna and Manganiello is especially revolting).

Comments: THE CONFORMIST composes the intellectually fascinating portrait of a chameleon-like character (opportunist? hypocrite?) who caters to the powers that be in an effort to forget past traumas. Dare I say it’s a masterpiece?

MBiS

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