…for the very sparse posting of late. All sorts of interesting stuff going on; some, in fact, is relative to, you know, making a living. All, or most, will be revealed…eventually. Tuesday will bring the "Foreign Region DVD Report" at The Auteurs' Notebook, and things here will pick up shortly thereafter. In the meantime, enjoy this lovely, beguiling image from Melville's 1956 Bob le flambeur. Try not to think about the fact that Isabelle Corey, pictured, will turn 80 next May. Concentrate, if you can, on Sacre-Coeur through the window…
I saw this recently in a cinema retro and thought to myself: wow, is this really 1956? And you did not pick the most daring shot in the movie, if I remember right. But then again, it’s french …
Beautiful film that makes Ocean’s Eleven look sterile.
Melville was possibly the greatest filmmaker who has ever lived. That doesn’t mean he’s my favorite (though the more of his work I see, the higher up that list he goes), but I’m not sure I’ve encountered any films that were, at the same time, both as precise and as artful as his.
Bill, you may be on to something. My vote’s for Bunuel, if I have to, but you may be on to something. Do check out the two new Melvilles on Criterion: the near-epic “Le Deuxieme Souffle” and the epochal “Le Doulos” (featuring liner notes by your truly).
Oh, I plan to. I was very excited to see those were being released. Keep ’em coming, I say.
Just stumbled across this while looking for some info on this wonderful film. I just wanted to let you know that Isabelle didn’t turn 80 last year. She turned 70. She was only 15 when this film was made!
@ RIck: Good lord. I think I actually knew that, and some Freudian/Catholic reflex compelled me to flub the date.
Just watched the film for the first time last night and was struck by Melville’s willingness to linger on scenes – such as the run-through for the safe cracking – in a way that no director could afford to today. Economics and attention spans would intercede no doubt.
And yes, Isabelle Corey was a delectable treat though I am a little shocked to hear she was only 15. Mon Dieu! And merci for this wonderful site which I also just discovered.