Bob le Flambeur
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville
Written by Jean-Pierre Melville and Auguste Le Breton
1956/France
Organisation Generale Cinematographique/Play Art/Productions Cyme
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental
#314 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
Roger: Locks are like pretty ladies. You need to practise to know them
This is more style than substance but oh what style!
Bob Montagne (Roger Duchasne) is called “Le Flambeur” because of his reputation as a high roller.  He has returned to Montmartre after twenty years in prison for a bank heist. He now lives a fairly quiet life as a minor local celebrity.  He has adopted a young gangster, Paolo.  Early in our story, he picks up another stray, Anne, an under-age charmer with the face of an angel and a heart of steel.  Paolo immediately hits on Anne and Bob is contented to let the relationship take its course. Bob is also a friend of Commissaire Ledru, the local police inspector whose life he saved.
Bob’s immediate problem is a string of bad luck in gambling.  When he gets down to his last 200 francs, he learns of a rich haul that will be in the safe of the casino at Deauville on Grand Prix day.  Bob puts together a gang for one last heist.  He seems to have all the bases covered. Of course a criminal never knows whether he can really trust his friends, his enemies, or himself.
Melville shot one of the most evocatively photographed film noirs ever made outside America.  One striking composition follows another.  I find a lot of the plot points don’t ring quite true but who cares when you get 98 minutes of non-stop eye candy.  I love the score too.
Trailer
2 responses to “Bob le Flambeur (1956)”