Borsalino & co.

I rented this DVD today and was very disappointed. I had been seeking "Borsalino" and the clerk said, "Borsalino and Co." is in the foreign section. I wasn't yet aware there even was a sequel. I haven't seen "Borsalino" since its original '72 theatrical run. At that time I went to see it three times. I remember seeing the first run of "The Sting" and thinking it was good but not as good as "Borsalino". I loved the original, the music by Claude Bolling was unforgettable. The original had masterful dynamic interplay and tension between Belmondo and Delon. I began watching "Borsalino and Co." and soon realized it was trying yet failing to recapture its predecessor's magic. I loved Delon in "The Sicilian Clan" and other films. He is a cool screen presence, but was so effective contrasted with Belmondo's volatility.

For those who enjoy 'the Godfather' and the Sicilian landscapes, Borsalino & Co. is a different view of French gangsterism in the South of France around the 1930's. Alain Delon plays the lead character of Roch Siffredi, a gangster who must fend his empire against the Italian mob who tries to muscle its way through Roch Siffredi's territory and enterprises. How Roch is able to fight back and make an unprecedented comeback while exacting his vengeance on the Italian mob is most original and Machiavellian.

Bottom line, revenge is sweet, and the movie makes great effort in recreating a 1930's decor. The background music and the theme song are particularly enjoying.

Alain Delon, already past his prime, returns to the tried-and-trusted formula of BORSALINO (1970), a fondly-remembered gangster pastiche (which I had watched some time ago, albeit dubbed, and been somewhat underwhelmed by) with a surprisingly mean-spirited but ultimately indifferent follow-up. The film is one of a staggering 9 Delon made with director Deray (the only other one I've seen is LA PISCINE [1969], which I remember liking). However, since I had purchased LE SAMOURAI (1967) while in Hollywood and recently ordered LE CERCLE ROUGE (1970), I thought I might as well give this one a try...

Though Delon served also as producer, he delivers a typically blank-faced performance and the film, with no new ideas in either script or direction, is tolerable mainly for its bouts of excessive, almost cartoonish violence. The international cast is reliable but their contribution is pretty ordinary on this occasion: Riccardo Cucciolla in a dual role (!) as Delon's gangleader rival and his twin; Rene' Koldehoff as Cucciolla's heavy-set chief thug; Catherine Rouvel (still looking gorgeous 15 years after swimming in the nude for Jean Renoir in LUNCH ON THE GRASS [1959]) also reprising her role from the original as a high-class prostitute and Delon's old flame, Daniel Ivernel (from Bunuel's DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID [1964]) as the level-headed Police Commissioner, Alfredo Lastretti (from Jess Franco's VENUS IN FURS [1968]) as one of Delon's lieutenants...plus a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo from Anton Diffring (perhaps imposed on the film by its backers, BORSALINO AND CO. being a French/Italian/West German co-production).

This is the follow-up to ¨Borsalino¨(1969) that's set during the 1930s, in Marseilles, France, two small time crooks work for local crime bosses until they decide to go into business for themselves. These two rough crooks join forces and when they decide to go into the business for themselves, their easy-going approach to crime starts to change. The continuation ¨Borsalino and Co¨(1974) of the successful ¨Borsalino¨ (1969), this time without Jean-Paul Belmondo as the protagonist, as Alain Delon begins right where the predecessor left off, with a more solemn and violent tone than the previous. Here Alain Delon repeats his role interpretating Roch Siffredi who on this occasion, swears to avenge the murder from his partner Francois Capella. ¨Marseille. Heaps of flowers and funeral wreaths... "A man who no longer defends his colors is no longer a man."

A nice thriller in French style , while the prior entry had a delicious serious-comic style , this sequel is more violent and strong than Borsalino (1969) . Borsalino was a slight film , a Buddy Movie , in which two likable hoods become gangland in Thirties . And this Borsalino and Co (1974) deals with a relentless revenge that will make Siffredi travel all over Marseille of the thirties in a place ruled by organized crime and the fight between gangs in order to achieve his purpose. This is a suspenseful and violent gangster movie in which action , intrigue , plot twists and thriller are continued . From the beginning to the end it turns out extremely intriguing and violent , including well developing of interesting characters , and that's why it is entertaining . The movie has lots of crossfire , dark-edged drama , thrills and moving events . Alain Delon gives a cold and fine acting in his usual style , being well accompanied by a good cast , such as : Riccardo Cucciolla, Reinhard Kolldehoff, Catherine Rouvel, Daniel Ivernel , Lionel Vitrant , Adolfo Lastretti , and brief appearances from Gunter Meisner and Anton Driffing that used to interpret Nazi roles and cameos from Claudine Auger as a cruise passenger and Mireille Dark -who was longtime girlfrend of Delon- playing a prostitute .

It contains a colorful and evocative cienematography Jean-Jacques Tarbé . Claude Bolling's infectious musical score helps very much as well .This entertaining and acceptable mobster movie was well directed by Jacques Deray , making a memorable work , though sometimes results to be slow-moving . He was a purveyor of a certain kind of noir movie , creating a tiny studio . Jacques began as an actor in his late teens and from 1952 worked as assistant to several noted directors , including Luis Bunuel and Jules Dassin . He was President of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1981 . One of his favourite actors was Alain Delon , whom Jacques directed many times . He made his first film in 1960 and Jacques directed some great French actors as Alain Delon , Jean-Louis Trintignant , Michael Serrault , Charlote Rampling and Jean-Paul Belmondo . Deray was a notorious director and writer , known for Borsalino (1970) , The Outside Man or A man is dead (1972) , Flic Story (75) , Le gang (77) , Three Men to Kill (80) , Le Marginal (1983) , He Died with His Eyes Open (85) and The Loner (87) . Being his greatest hit : La Piscine (1969). Rating : 6.5/10 . Decent sequel.

An old recipe of crime-thriller-revenge, good for fans of Alain Delon but easy to see it with large indulgence today. All is more than familiar, correct and predictable against the effort to surprise. So, murders and America. And, sure, Alain Delon as the blank-faced hero.