I just watched this yesterday and it sorta blew my mind. I love Delon’s chillingly restrained performance and Melville’s minimalistic and rather suspenseful composition. It’s actually quite a complex story for a movie with so little dialogue.
I also really liked the interviews on the Criterion disc. That Melville interview was pretty fascinating. He seemed like a cool guy who knew a lot about cinema and could talk to anyone about it all day long…I wished I had the privilege.
The film’s minimalistic style also reminded me of Coppola’s (less amazing, and rather um, boring) The Conversation. It doesn’t seem surprising that Coppola would be inspired by Le Samourai and Melville’s direction.
I personally don’t, but I could understand why some people would have a problem with it.
I’ve encountered many people (mostly middle-aged folks, including my parents) who hate Woody Allen. He thinks he’s a creep and a pervert for falling in love with then-girlfriend’s Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter and marrying the daughter. And I guess they also believe some of Farrow’s other accusations against Allen, which include child molestation. They think he’s pretty sick for what he’s done and for all the things that he may have done that they can’t stand to watch his movies (or mostly, him in his movies). They don’t want to spend money for whatever work he produces. And that’s understandable, to a certain extent.
But there are so many directors, actors, writers, artists, musicians, etc. who may or may not be horrible people. We will never know for sure, unless we personally know these people. But for films, there are so many other people that are involved as well—many whom are wonderful, talented people. Someone mentioned Christian Bale earlier on this board: I read a recent “Entertainment Weekly” interview with Bale and he said that he wanted to apologize for his rant because he doesn’t want to affect the other people who are also involved in the production of his film. So to shun a film because of a single actor is much like shunning an entire cast and crew…if you know what I’m trying to get at.
Sometimes, it’s just better to look at the final product for all its worth.
I love the ending to Roman Holiday. For me, it is hands-down, the most touching, bittersweet, and lovely ending I’ve ever seen in any film. It makes me believe that Gregory Peck (not Audrey Hepburn, as wonderful and charming she is in the film) is the very heart of this unconventional romantic comedy masterpiece classic.
Other endings that I find quite perfect are Psycho, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Chungking Express.
William Holden – Network and The Country Girl
Diane Keaton – The Godfather: Part II and The Godfather: Part III
Greg Kinnear – Little Miss Sunshine
Tom Hanks – Catch Me If You Can
Paul Schneider – All the Real Girls
Martin Sheen – Apocalypse Now
Emma Thompson – Stranger Than Fiction
Brad Pitt – Babel
Arnold Schwarzenegger – Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Helena Bonham Carter – Howards End
Stanley Tucci – The Terminal
Le Samourai almost 4 years ago
I just watched this yesterday and it sorta blew my mind. I love Delon’s chillingly restrained performance and Melville’s minimalistic and rather suspenseful composition. It’s actually quite a complex story for a movie with so little dialogue.
I also really liked the interviews on the Criterion disc. That Melville interview was pretty fascinating. He seemed like a cool guy who knew a lot about cinema and could talk to anyone about it all day long…I wished I had the privilege.
The film’s minimalistic style also reminded me of Coppola’s (less amazing, and rather um, boring) The Conversation. It doesn’t seem surprising that Coppola would be inspired by Le Samourai and Melville’s direction.
Go to Comment
WHY DO WE CARE IF A GREAT DIRECTOR WAS ALSO A BAD PERSON? almost 4 years ago
I personally don’t, but I could understand why some people would have a problem with it.
I’ve encountered many people (mostly middle-aged folks, including my parents) who hate Woody Allen. He thinks he’s a creep and a pervert for falling in love with then-girlfriend’s Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter and marrying the daughter. And I guess they also believe some of Farrow’s other accusations against Allen, which include child molestation. They think he’s pretty sick for what he’s done and for all the things that he may have done that they can’t stand to watch his movies (or mostly, him in his movies). They don’t want to spend money for whatever work he produces. And that’s understandable, to a certain extent.
But there are so many directors, actors, writers, artists, musicians, etc. who may or may not be horrible people. We will never know for sure, unless we personally know these people. But for films, there are so many other people that are involved as well—many whom are wonderful, talented people. Someone mentioned Christian Bale earlier on this board: I read a recent “Entertainment Weekly” interview with Bale and he said that he wanted to apologize for his rant because he doesn’t want to affect the other people who are also involved in the production of his film. So to shun a film because of a single actor is much like shunning an entire cast and crew…if you know what I’m trying to get at.
Sometimes, it’s just better to look at the final product for all its worth.
Go to Comment
What is your favorite ending? almost 4 years ago
I love the ending to Roman Holiday. For me, it is hands-down, the most touching, bittersweet, and lovely ending I’ve ever seen in any film. It makes me believe that Gregory Peck (not Audrey Hepburn, as wonderful and charming she is in the film) is the very heart of this unconventional romantic comedy masterpiece classic.
Other endings that I find quite perfect are Psycho, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Chungking Express.
Go to Comment
3 Great Actors You'd Definitely Hangout With. almost 4 years ago
I want to hang out with actors who seem…fun to hang out with. So…
1. Kevin Spacey
2. Katharine Hepburn
3. Meryl Streep
Honorable mentions include James Stewart, Audrey Hepburn, Kate Winslet, and Cate Blanchett.
Go to Comment
Great performances that hardly ever get discussed almost 4 years ago
William Holden – Network and The Country Girl
Diane Keaton – The Godfather: Part II and The Godfather: Part III
Greg Kinnear – Little Miss Sunshine
Tom Hanks – Catch Me If You Can
Paul Schneider – All the Real Girls
Martin Sheen – Apocalypse Now
Emma Thompson – Stranger Than Fiction
Brad Pitt – Babel
Arnold Schwarzenegger – Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Helena Bonham Carter – Howards End
Stanley Tucci – The Terminal
Go to Comment
OT: What are you reading? almost 4 years ago
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Go to Comment