G.W. Elmer
23Dec11
or 4 whatever
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Displaying all 21 wall posts
trolley freak
31Jan12
Melville specialised in bleak crime movies but the first one he made in the crime genre is lighter in tone, if still melancholic. Bob is an ageing ex-con who sets up a raid on a casino after a run of bad luck at gambling leaves him broke. This great film, set mostly between the hours of dusk and dawn, has been described as 'Melville's love letter to Paris' and captures to perfection the moody atmosphere of the city..
crmantao likes this
Michael Harbour
17Jan12
A very well made heist film which focuses mostly on the planning of the heist and very little on the execution. The exploration of Bob the Gambler's character and how he relates to the criminals, dames, and cops in his life is fascinating and proceeds with careful slow development.
barbudean likes this
Xose Manoel Ramos
9Oct11
Un noir completamente dado a volta, na que a persoaxe máis cabaleirosa e amable do mundo loita contra as seu destino.
Poughkeepsie
1Mar11
It's clear to see how this influenced directors like Godard and Truffaut (among others). Like an Italian Neorealist, Melville captures the dark streets of Montmarte, setting up a cool underworld atmosphere. The music carries the viewer. The quick cutting heightens tension. But, the dialogue is the best part, quick and sharp. An interesting blend of the classical and the unpolished like the New Wavers used later on.
Zachary George Najarian-Najafi
14Jan11
A portrait of a time that no longer exists, a time that was both romantic and melancholy. Bob le flambeur is a comedy of manners and a tragedy with a light touch disguised as a noir. It's Montmarte at night, all the neon signs and bars. Above all you have to surrender to the film, let the music flow through your veins. It isn't always perfect, but it's that lack of perfection that makes it so amazing.
Zachary Curl
30Dec10
excellent film, though maybe my least favorite of Melville's, who has habitually made incredible movies.
chris naughton
18Oct10
See sources of Cosmo Vitelli, Marty S., and many others. I love the artist who loves films or novels so much that he insists he joins and becomes part of that world - like Herzog, JC, QT. In regards to writing the mystery/thriller: the only mystery is the intentions of others; the only Thriller is the acting on one's own forecast of the future. Endless possibilities w/ these two elements for those interested.
pitdogG
16Sep10
What a film. Beautifully shot. Smoothly edited. and well directed with a sophistication that we rarely see anymore, BOB LE FLAMBEUR, rocks. The film is not your usual heist film, that label somehow cheapens it, it is far more than a "Heist Film." The complexities that exist between the characters is just wonderful. It was my introduction to Jean-Pierre Melville and it left a big impression. Criterion has it. See it.
H. Jackson
21Jul10
A very charming, noir-inspired heist picture. Compelling characters, a constantly evolving plot and fine, if unpolished, direction make for very satisfying viewing. Bob le flambeur is terrific.
John Chiafos
18Jun10
Why did this film never click with me? I LOVE many of Melville's other films--Army Of Shadows and Le Cercle Rouge in particular--but this one didn't click with me at all. Maybe it's just me...
Christopher Smith
17May09
Another uneven crime drama from director Jean-Pierre Melville. It effectively evokes an atmosphere of late-night streets with compelling underworld characters and a handful of memorable moments - but it's slow paced, and the story uneasily meanders from character study to heist film, and never really works as either. Ultimately, one of Melville's better films, but far from the masterpiece it's been made out to be.
Ademption
25Feb09
While watching I got deja vu, and realized I had seen bad impressions of, and bits cobbled from, "Bob the Flambeur" in every heist movie that came after it, especially the recent "Ocean's 11-13." The writers of Ocean's bit off so much, they should at least give Melville a writing credit or a nod. "Bob" is much better than "Le Samouraï" (which is great), and "Le circle rouge" (which is good).