Le Samourai (1967) image source: bit.ly/QSUXRA
Le Samouraï is probably one of the coolest films ever made- and I’m not using that word figuratively: the film is literally cool, with a chilly blue monochrome look, and the main character (who is the undeniably cool Alain Delon, at the peak of his stardom) wears a sleek raincoat the entire film.
I will admit, this film will not appeal to everyone, but if one allows the film to simply wash over them, they will probably really appreciate the artistry that is evident in every frame. The plot is basically secondary to the main point of the film-which is to create a mood and as a showcase for French director Jean Pierre Melville’s magnificent sense of style. Delon stars as Jef Costello , a lone hitman who is a consummate professional. He roams the streets of Paris, glidingly silently through the city, leaving no trace of his deeds. He wears white gloves that remain immaculate, with no trace of blood or gunpowder no matter the job he assigned to carry out by a mysterious boss. Despite his skill and professionalism, Costello finds himself in the midst of an assignment gone awry, and he suspects that he is the victim of a set up, and is being framed.
Melville(nee Jean Pierre Grumbach) was a Frenchman who loved American culture and verve so much he changed his name to that most American of authors, Herman Melville during his time as part of the French Resistance in WWII. His films blend American film noir with French new wave attitude to create a very original blend of styles and moods that seem ageless and effortlessly stylish.
Le Samouraï s a really beautiful film. It is deliberately paced, but never dull. There are long stretches where it is almost completely silent, but Delon’s Costello is a strong and captivating presence on screen that demands full attention, even as we watch him go about his daily routine, like feeding his caged bird, or adjusting his hat ever so slightly.
I am a huge fan of Melville’s work. He made gangster pictures for the art house crowd. His films are largely focused on strong, stoic, silent men who try to live by a strict set of moral codes, but find themselves constantly at odds with the world they’re in. It’s not hard to see just what a major impact Le Samouraï has had on filmmakers; its influences can be seen in countless films. Michael Mann’s work, especially his 2004 film collateral, which features Tom Cruise as a silver haired assassin practically doing an impression of Delon’s Jef Costello.
Despite its title, there isn’t really any Japanese culture in the film, besides the fact that Costello is dedicated to his morals, principles and mission in life, as the Samurai are legendary for. He is a lone wolf, and will follow the path he is on no matter where it takes him. I think this is a really stunning film, and a great way to get into foreign cinema if you’re unsure about reading subtitles, since so much of the film is dialogue free.
Image source: bit.ly/QSUXRA
Film Frame of Mind 