O Chefão

This was a rather more than faithful adaptation of the Pierre Lesou's novel. A fierce story about two vengeance schemes involved one in the other. Two friends decide to avenge the death of one of their own and then kill a cop whose his friend decides to avenge him...Follow me? You have here one of best Michel Constantin's performances ever. Don't miss him facing Michel Bouquet. His lines are unforgettable. But something is missing, if you compare to the book. HOW DAN ROVEL'S CHARACTER GETS OUT OF JAIL?

No one seems to have noticed this detail.

Typical from Yves Boisset about the power of police, and the way cops sometimes can trespass the law. A true powerful film.

Harry Callaghan and Popeye Doyle have become iconic characters since their first appearances in the early seventies and the Rogue Cop genre has remained extremely popular.

To non-European audiences Inspector Favanin is hardly likely to be a household name. His character appeared in 1970 in this film of Yves Boisset and it is well-nigh impossible fifty years on to appreciate just what an impact the film made and the obstacles its director faced to get it released without cuts. Due to its graphic violence and its depiction of the police, Boisset was obliged to go before a censorship committee one of whose members was Jean-Pierre Melville(!) and eventally its release was approved. Suffice to say its notoriety guaranteed excellent box office.

The masterstroke here is the casting, against type, of Michel Bouquet. When his friend and colleague played by Bernard Fresson is killed in the line of duty Favenin becomes an avenging angel, using any means at his disposal to track down those responsible, thereby becoming not only judge and jury but also executioner.

As one would expect from Boisset this is a study in corruption and furthermore, by the standards of its time its content is relentlessy grim, desolate and bloody. There are no romantic, folk hero types here with their particular moral codes in the style of Melville but instead beasts in the jungle. Does Favenin regret his actions? The final shot of him sitting alone is cleverly ambiguous.

Bouquet is riveting in the role and he is ably supported by Adolfo Celi, Michel Constantine, Gianni Gekko, Henri Garcin and Francoise Fabian.

Although this film undeniably broke new ground and forever transformed the genre in France, I personally harbour no desire to view it again.

Ironically, it was knocked off its top slot by 'Le Cercle Rouge' of none other than Jean-Pierre Melville!

The basic motif to see it remains the admirable job of Michel Bouquet. A film about friendship, duty and corruption , simple, precise and using cold tones.

A cop is killed.

His colegue looks for the murderer, using all tools for find him.

Nothing new but seductive for the cinematography and for the wise way to use American model, giving to it profound nuances.

A film about guilty, to.

Interesting for the exploration of characters.

Yves Boisset is a very special director, he has made many good films, most importantly, in my opinion, "The Assassination" (1972), with the great Gian Maria Volontè and many other exceptional actors, and "Dog Day"(1984) , with the unparalleled Lee Marvin. In "The Assassination", as a corrupt lawyer, we find the extraordinary Michel Bouquet, who here, in "The Cop", he is the cop, a policeman like you have not seen in other movies, a cop with an original philosophy, kindred somehow, with Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry. But different! Michel Bouquet is an actor who does not need too many specific means or too many replicas to create memorable characters, Michel Bouquet is an absolute force, only by the way he looks, moves and breathes. Likewise, but in another register, it is Michel Constantin, who also plays a smaller role, but, as usual, natural, impeccable. Françoise Fabian is beautiful and natural. Probably the best part of Gianni Garko. So, Bernard Fresson. Adolfo Celi, a small role too but, as usual, very effective. Rufus, Théo Sarapo, Henri Garcin, Pierre Massimi, the same, very good. Need absolutely to be seen!

Increasingly I have more respect over the real French movies, this Noir picture has a fabulous phrase said by Adolfo Celi, "Beware don't try to save the world, just defend the society as it really is" that reflects on our kind of society, when his partner and close friend L'Inspecteur Barnero (Fresson) was killed pursuing two killers, the honest L'Inspecteur Favenin (Bouquet) decides make justice by own hands, killing all them whom were involved with Barnero's death, unusual plot, Faverin an inconspicuous policeman, using all kinds of gimmicks to get his revenge, a slight cold behavior, sneaky he get in at house's assassin Villete (Constantin) there he faces the killer, a fabulous sequence, killing him like a dog, nevertheless came out the regret, even an unknown picture if look the numbers of votes at IMDB, just few 270 with seven reviews only, it has a great casting, although it's a brutal movie, violent and contemporary, a realistic picture, impressed me entirely, hope others have a change to see the hidden gem from the director Yves Boisset who displayed several allusive red posters !!

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First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.5