The French Connection

70.59.131.174

Posted on February 7, 2010 at 10:48:36

Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 7772
Joined: September 23, 1999

Watched this last night on TCM - bracketed by Bullitt and Bonnie and
Clyde, neither of which I watched - and was struck once again by the
quality of the script, the acting, and the sets (well, not really sets,
it was all filmed on the streets of NY). Hackman does an absolutely
superb job as Popeye, as did the guy who played the character Frog 1
(can't remember his real name or his character's name). My only fault
with the film is way in which the cops discover that there's a shipment
coming in and who's gonna be involved. Otherwise, a nearly perfect film.

MK

RE: The French Connection

musetap

12:08:24 02/07/10

7

I think, outside of "Unforgiven," Gene's best role was in "Dangerous Moves." Seen it?

tinear

13:09:47 02/07/10

6

Not the Conversation? nt

Daryl Zero

22:59:27 02/08/10

RE: I think, outside of "Unforgiven," Gene's best role was in "Dangerous Moves." Seen it?

mpathus

16:43:29 02/08/10

Unforgiven ...

Mike K

00:25:50 02/08/10

RE: Unforgiven ...

mpathus

00:33:50 02/09/10

RE: I think, outside of "Unforgiven," Gene's best role was in "Dangerous Moves." Seen it?

eppis1

19:03:47 02/07/10

No, but a quick search just showed "Night Moves" as a film

musetap

14:03:28 02/07/10

RE: The French Connection, posted on February 7, 2010 at 12:08:24

musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 7095
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
Since: January 28, 2004

Hackman is superb in it, and Roy Scheider too, for that matter. Effortless and
natural as Popeye's more level headed partner.

Just looked up Frog One (Alain Charnier) - Fernando Rey, who was Spanish and
made many films, was super in that role.

Always interesting to see NYC in probably its worse state of decline in films from
this period. Looked then like too many big U.S. cities look now.

Watched some of Bonnie and Clyde for the upteenth time afterward.
Hackman is marvelous in that too. One of the great actors.

Great late 60's Cop/Robber night on TCM...

" Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination." -Michael McClure

I think, outside of "Unforgiven," Gene's best role was in "Dangerous Moves." Seen it?, posted on February 7, 2010 at 13:09:47
tinear Audiophile Posts: 33525 Location: Willamette Valley OR Joined: April 9, 2006	Superb thriller.

No, but a quick search just showed "Night Moves" as a film, posted on February 7, 2010 at 14:03:28
musetap Audiophile Posts: 7095 Location: San Francisco Joined: July 8, 2003 Contributor Since: January 28, 2004	he seems to be reckoned with in, and I've added that to the queue. I haven't seen "Dangerous Moves" either, but that French film has some good things said about it. Thanks! " Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination." -Michael McClure

RE: I think, outside of "Unforgiven," Gene's best role was in "Dangerous Moves." Seen it?, posted on February 7, 2010 at 19:03:47
eppis1 Audiophile Posts: 678 Location: So. California Joined: September 21, 2003 Contributor Since: September 21, 2003	Yeah, Night Moves was an ace, and well directed by Arthur Penn. 3 killer performances by the women; Jennifer Warren, Susan Clark and Melanie Griffith (as the bad girl/ingenue). My other favorite early Hackman performance was from "I never sang for my Father."

Unforgiven ..., posted on February 8, 2010 at 00:25:50
Mike K Audiophile Posts: 7772 Joined: September 23, 1999	I saw it years ago, probably when it came out, and didn't like it. I thought the script was weak, the directing weak, and Eastwood had not yet learned to act. Maybe I should watch it again. MK

RE: I think, outside of "Unforgiven," Gene's best role was in "Dangerous Moves." Seen it?, posted on February 8, 2010 at 16:43:29

mpathus
Audiophile

Posts: 2468
Location: Eastern USA
Joined: June 19, 2004

I'll need to see "Night Moves".

It's been a while since I've seen "Scarecrow" (1973) with Hackman and Pacino - it made me forget his Popeye Doyle (The French Connection, 1971).

His strip-tease to quench bar tensions in "Scarecrow" and his subtle character transformations in reciprocating careing for Pacino were beautiful to behold.

Then there's "No Way Out"...

What a body of work for lifetime achievement.

Not the Conversation? nt, posted on February 8, 2010 at 22:59:27
Daryl Zero Audiophile Posts: 502 Location: Southwest Joined: July 9, 2004	dd

RE: Unforgiven ..., posted on February 9, 2010 at 00:33:50
mpathus Audiophile Posts: 2468 Location: Eastern USA Joined: June 19, 2004	I'm kind of with you on this one - my first impression was so-so but for the "ching cling cling" sound of Eastwood's spurs. For me, later viewings dug deeper past stereotypes and a wry humor came through.

Films/DVD Asylum

The French Connection

70.59.131.174