A Masterclass in Noir Intrigue

Read Time:4 Minute, 17 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Le Doulos (4K)
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Genre: Thriller, Film Noir, Crime, Action, World Cinema
Year Released: 1962, 2024 Kino Lorber 4K
Runtime: 1h 48m
Director(s): Jean-Pierre Melville
Writer(s): Pierre Lesou, Jean-Pierre Melville
Cast: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Serge Reggiani, Michel Piccoli, Jean Desailly, René Lefèvre, Fabienne Dali, Monique Hennessy
Language: French with optional English subtitles
Where To Watch: available August 13, 2024; pre-order your copy here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Jean-Pierre Melville's LE DOULOS carves a niche in the noir genre, navigating the murky waters of loyalty and betrayal with a keen eye for the darkness the genre brings. This tale is set against a canvas of stark contrasts and shadows, exploring the precarious existence of characters who straddle the line between legality and criminality. The film pulls the audience into a world where the only certainty is uncertainty, making each twist in the plot a gripping revelation.

Right from the start, the movie grabs your attention with an opening scene that is anything but ordinary—a casual rendezvous quickly turns into a lethal encounter, laying the groundwork for a narrative filled with complex motives and murky allegiances. Jean-Paul Belmondo's character, Silien, dominates the screen with a performance that captures the essence of a man caught in a web of deceit. His mastery of the dual nature of his character keeps viewers guessing his next move, serving as a central pillar of the film's suspense.

Serge Reggiani brings life to the character of Maurice Faugel, who acts as a foil to Silien and illustrates the raw desperation that drives many of Melville's protagonists. Fresh out of prison and thrust back into the fray, Faugel's journey is a harrowing tour of the criminal underworld, where trust is both a scarce commodity and a potential trap.

As the story unfolds, Melville's direction skillfully manipulates viewer perceptions, blending the black-and-white visuals with a narrative complexity that accentuates the film's theme of deception. The interactions between Silien and the other characters, particularly with the Inspector, are fraught with tension, each meeting thick with unspoken questions and hidden agendas.

LE DOULOS is more than a mere crime drama; it is an elaborate chess game, with each character a piece playing a role in Melville's carefully orchestrated plot. The film's structure invites viewers to put together the pieces of this puzzle, challenging them to discern reality from artifice as they navigate the shadows cast by each scene.

The film's approach to violence is calculated and impactful. It underscores the harsh realities of its setting. This careful handling reinforces the transient nature of the characters' lives, where loyalties are fleeting, and every decision can lead to dire consequences.

The climax of LE DOULOS brings all the simmering tensions to a head, exposing the intricate lies and the devastating truths that define the characters' existences. The resolution is both a narrative and thematic culmination, reflecting on the broader implications of choices made in the shadows.

LE DOULOS is a testament to Melville's ability to craft an engaging and thought-provoking narrative. The film invites reflection on deeper moral issues, profoundly impacting its audience. For anyone drawn to stories of complexity and moral ambiguity, LE DOULOS is indispensable viewing—a seminal work in the noir tradition that explores the darkest corridors of human nature.

Ultimately, LE DOULOS stands as a monumental achievement in film, masterfully blending narrative intricacy with philosophical depth. It is essential for anyone fascinated by the cinema's interplay of character, destiny, and morality.

Product Extras:
UHD SDR Master by StudioCanal – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
Audio Commentary by Film Historian Samm Deighan
Melville – The Demon Within Him: Interview with First Assistant Director Volker Schlöndorff (29:34)
Birth of the Detective Story Melville Style: Documentary (32:46)
Theatrical Trailer
In French with Optional English Subtitles

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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