I didn't particularly care for The French Connection when it came out in 1971. But I will have to admit re watching this film on Blu-Ray impressed my quite a bit. It definitely set the standard for the crime thriller going forward.
The documentary like photography of early 1970's New York, particularly Brooklyn in all it's seedy glory and the standout performances of Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider are two of the best things in the film.
The French Connection was the breakout film that William Friedkin had been looking for. His decision to shoot it like a documentary really paid off. The other important decision in the film was the insistence of the producer Philp D'Antoni that Friedkin add a car chase to the film.
Friedkin has always had the reputation of a "bad boy" film director. Apparently Hackman had more then a few run ins with the director. The antagonism between Hackman and Friedkin probably helped Hackman stay in character, as asshole detective "Popeye" Doyle.
104 minutes, written by Ernest Tidyman.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment